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HARVARD COLLEGE 
LIBRARY 




FROM THE FUND OF 

CHARLES MINOT 

CLASS OF 1828 



e 



C APTAI N 

Mayne Reid 



%^ &ife Anb ^Ibventuree 



-f(UvL/ ELIZABET JrtkiD, His widow 

ASSISTED BY 

CHARLES. H. COE, of U.S.A. 

Autk^r of " Red PatHeis,*" tic. 



LONDON 
GREENING & CO., LTD. 

20 Cecil Court 
Charing Cross Road 



1900 

[All Rights Bei^rvia^ 



A.:L<t^^*H 



\ 



•,1 ■ - .•■ 






z' 



flu 



\\0 J 



i 'A • ii. 






in 

Great Britain^ 

in 

The Dominion of Canada^ 

and in 

The United States of America. 



SipUmhtTt 1900. 






CHARLES OLLIVANT 

m TOKXN OP 
HIS DEVOTION TO 

MAYNE REID 



/ 



INTRODUCTION 

*' Captain Mayne Reid wrote for men and 
women as well as boys." His name is a 
" household word " wherever the English 
tongue is spoken, says a contemporary. Yet 
few of his readers know anything of their 
favourite Author's life as a soldier. We now 
tell them how his "spurs" were won, and 
other incidents of his eventful life, the re- 
cord of which should still further enlist the 
sympathies of his readers. 

If the name of ** Mayne Reid " be a 
" household word " wherever the English 
tongue is spoken, this will equally apply to 
the foreign one. It was officially stated that 
** Mayne Reid is the most popular Exv^WsJcv 



VI INTRODUCTION 

author in Russia"; and you will find the 
whole of Mayne Reid's works translated into 
French, Spanish, Italian, German, and for all 
we know to the contrary into Arabic, and the 
native tongue of the Red Indian. Perhaps in 
the coming age of the newly-discovered 
monkey language we may hear of Mama 
monkey spelling out to her bambino the ** Boy 
Hunters," while the elder branches indulge 
in a war-whoop over the " Scalp Hunters." 

As my former brief '* Memoir of Mayne 
Raid " was so well received, I am encouraged 
to present to the admirers of Mayne Reid a 
fuller and more complete account of his life 
and adventures. In this task I have been 
ably assisted by Mr. Chas. H. Coe, of the 
United States, where some years of the early 
adventurous life of my husband were spent. 

Unlike many biographies, this one presents 

a faithful pen-picture of the subject as he 

appeared in his cvcry-day life. Nothing has 



INTRODUCTION 



VU 



been suppressed, either from his writings or 
among his characteristics, that would aid the 
reader in forming a fair idea as to what manner 
of man Mayne Reid really was, and in the 
belief that it will find favour in the sight of 
his numerous admirers, both old and young, 
I leave the work in their hands. 



ELIZABETH REID, 



London, 1900. 



CONTENTS 



CHAPTER I 

Early Life and Surrotmdings — Studies for the Ministry 
— His Heart's Desires — Sails for America 

CHAPTER II 

Adrift in New Orleans — Opinion of a Classical Educa- 
tion — Several Years of Eventful Life — NashvilU 
Americetris Description — Joins a Company of 
Actors 

CHAPTER III 
Early Literary Productions—Defence of Edgar Allan Poe 

CHAPTER IV 

Off to the Mexican War — Commissioned a Second 
Lieutenant — Later Intentions — Graphic Descrip- 
tion of the Country — Landing of the Troops 

CHAPTER V 

'* Sketches of a Skirmisher '' — Siege and Capture of Vera 
Cruz — Battles of Cerro Gordo, Contreras, and 
Churubusco— An Amusing Mishap — Influence 
over his Men 

CHAPTER VI 

Assault and Capture of Chapultepec — Severely 
Wounded — Tribute to his former Lieutenant — 
Capture of the City of Mexico — Official Mention 
—"Promotion ...,,,, 

ix 



1-7 



8-15 



16-28 



29-39 



40-52 



W-^ 



CONTENTS 
CHAPTER VII 



PAGB 



Languishes in Hospital— Mourned as Dead — Recovery 
— Challenges an Officer to fight a Duel — Explores 
the Country — "Sketches of a Skirmisher" con- 
tinued — Extract of Letter to his Father. . . 70-81 

CHAPTER VIII 

Retires from the Army with the rank of Captain — 
Returns to the United States — Resides at Newport 
and Philadelphia — Accompanies Donn Piatt to 
Ohio — Donn Piatt's Recollections of Mayne Reid 
— Goes to New York City — "Who was First at 
Chapultepec ?" — Statement of Mayne Reid — Testi- 
mony of Army Officers — Letter to the Cincinnati 
Commercial 82-96 

CHAPTER IX 

Helps to Organise a Legion in New York to aid the 
European Revolutionists — Sails for Europe — 
Failure of the Bavarian Insurrection — Visits his 
Native Home — Returns to London and prepares 
to aid Kossuth — Sheaths his Sword and takes up 
the Pen 97-104 

CHAPTER X 

His First Romance — Commences his Juvenile Tales — 
Organises a Rifle Club—The "Boy Hunters" and 
the "Yoimg Voyageurs" — Opinions of his Works 
— Friendship of Mayne Reid and Louis Kossuth — 
Defence of Kossuth — Correspondence — Crimean 
War Speech—Some Idea of entering a Political 
Career ......... 105-121 

CHAPTER XI 

The Captein and his ** Child- Wife "—Romantic Court- 
ship and Marriage — Amusing Incidents . .122-134 

CHAPTER XII 

Rural Life — An Amusing Incident — Long Drives to 

London — Boys* Books and a New Romance — 

Letter to the London Athenctum — Moves to 

Gerrard's Cross — More Books — Novel Trip to 

Ireland — Returns to Literary Work— Method of 

Wriiiogr^^Cwrious Habit '^'iV'^^'^^ 



CONTENTS XI 

CHAPTER XIII 

PAGB 

New Tales — Continues the Drives to London — Taken 
for a Circus Manager — Maniafor attending Auction 
Sales — Leases a House in London— New Books for 
Boys — Returns to Gerrard's Cross — A Jamaica 
Romance — Wonderful Descriptive Powers — Poem 
on the Civil War — Attends the "American Thanks- 
giving Dinner " — ** Cannibal Charlie " — " Lost 
Lenore" 143-151 

CHAPTER XIV 

"Treatise on Croquet"— A Law-Suit — Fondness for 
Personal Adornment — His "Spiritual Welfare" — 
Many New Books— Especially Busy — Proprietor 
of an Omnibus Line — His Masterpiece — Wild 
Rides — Peculiar Charm of his Books — Longing 
for Old Scenes— In the Zenith of Fame and 
Fortune — Builds " The Ranche " — A Seat in 
Parliament in Prospect 152- 161 

CHAPTER XV 

Reminiscences by Charles Ollivant — Description of 
"The Ranche" — Builds several Cottages in the 
ViUage 162-168 

CHAPTER XVI 

His own Brickmaker and Architect — Superintending 
his Workmen — Bankruptcy — Again takes up his 
Residence in London — Praiseworthy Efforts of 
Charles Ollivant — A Prominent Admirer — The 
Ut//e Times — An Amusing Anecdote — Discon- 
tinuance of the Paper — The " Finger of Fate *' — 
Mrs. Reid wins a Law-Suit — Various Productions 169-173 

CHAPTER XVII 

Returns to America — Settles at Newport, R. I. — Plunges 
into Literary Work — Contemplates establishing a 
Youths' Magazine — Moves to New York— Takes 
out Naturalisation Papers — Donation of Le Grand 
Lockwood — Sends for Charles Ollivant — Mr. 
Ollivant installed as Private Secretary — Appear- 
ance of Onward Magaiine — Interesting Contents 
— Defends General Grant — Importance of Free 
Schools 17V^19 



Xll CONTENTS 

CHAPTER XVIII 

rxGS 

Onward continued— The "Purple Swallow"— A 
Wonderful Literary Feat — Press Notices of 
Onward— 'IjaiSX. Words of the Editor — Reminis- 
cences by Charles Ollivant— Failure of the Maga- 
zine— lU-Health 180-186 

CHAPTER XIX 

Invited to Lecture on Lord Byron — Invitation accepted 
and Steinway Hall engaged — Newspapers Promi- 
nently Announce the Lecture — " Byron : as a Man, 
as a Republican, as a Poet" — New York HeraUPs 
Report of the Lecture 187-191 

CHAPTER XX 

Critical Illness — Case pronounced Hopeless — Removal 
to St. Luke's Hospital — Communication to the 
Sun — Preparations for his Funeral — Obituary 
Notice prepared — Marvellous Recovery — Inter- 
viewed by a Lady Correspondent — A Relapse — 
Gradual Recovery — Removal from the Hospital 
— Melancholia — Amusing Incident — Physician 
advises a Voyage to Europe — Low State of his 
Finances — Generous Assistance of Friends — Final 
Farewell to America 192-204 

CHAPTER XXI 

Mrs. Reid's Account of the Homeward Voyage — Arrival 
in England — Visits Ireland without Benefit — 
Goes to a Hydropathic Establishment in England 
— Returns to London for Medical Advice — Happy 
Result — Extract from a Letter — Resumes Literary 
Work — A Stirring Political Speech — Powers of 
Oratory — Asked to Explore the Gulf of California 
— ^A Proposition from P. T. Bamum — Again Con- 
fined to his Bed — Funeral Arrangements — A 
" Resurrection " — A Cripple for Life — Literary 
Work — Removes to another Locality — Daily 
Ramble in a Bath-Chair 205-218 

CHAPTER XXII 

Returns to Rural Life — Settles near the town of Ross, 
Herefordshire — ^Writes another Novel of English 
Life — Correspondence concerning a Priest — 



CONTENTS Xlll 

VACS 

Defends the Game Laws— Leaves "Giasewood" 
for ••Frogmore"— His Description of "Frogmore" 
— Too Delighted to Write 219-225 

CHAPTER XXI 11 

Best Colours for Summer and Winter Clothing — First 
to Publicly Challenge the Old Theory— Suffers 
from Rheumatism — Extracts from his Diary — 
Produces Mexican Potatoes — "A Breeder of 
Sheep " — " Novelists and Librarians " . . 226-333 

CHAPTER XXIV 

Studies the Habits of Animals — Fondness for Pets — 
"The Naturalist on the Wye" — Reputation as a 
Naturalist — Efforts of Charles Ollivant — His Last 
Romance — Hard Literary Work — Anxiety for his 
Wife — Contributes to American Publications — A 
Novel Sleigh — Adventures in a Snowbank — United 
States grants a Pension 234-242 

CHAPTER XXV 

Contemplates leaving Herefordshire — Desires to End 
his Labours in London — An Odd Habit — Re- 
moval to the City — Last Communication to the 
Newspapers — Last Story for Boys — Biographical 
Sketch by J. T. Trowbridge — Letter to the Editors 
of 5/. Nicholas — Writing his " Mexican War 
Memories" — Average Income from his Pen — 
Dines with American Friends — Accident to his 
Brougham — Attends an Auction Sale — Queer 
Purchases — Alarming Sickness — Death — 
Funeral Ceremonies — Description of the Grave- 
stone — "In Memoriam," a Poem .... 243-252 



APPENDIX 



Obituary Notices 253 

Extracts from Press Notices of " Memoir " 256 

Poem— "Happy New Year " 259 

The Merits of White and Black Colours for Clothing . 260 

The Works of Captain Mayne Reid .... 262 



LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS 

To /ace page 
•ICAPTAIN MAYNE REID, FROM DAGUERROTYPB, 1850— 

(FrtmHspieu) 

*" HOUSB IN WHICH AUTHOR WAS BORN ... 2 

•^ LIEUTENANT MAYNE REID, IN MEXICAN WAR, 1847 . 76 

•^ MRS. MAYNE REID, 1863 76 

CAPTAIN MAYNE REID, 1863 I55 

* VIEW OF "RANCHE" built AT GERRARD'S CROSS . 160 
. LODGE GATES OF " RANCHE " I66 

• MAYNE REliyS GRAVE, KENSAL GREEN . . . 251 

. MRS. MAYNE REID, 1 893 (from oil painting). . , 258 



FACSIMILE PAGE OF M.S 242 

FACSIMILE OF "LITTLE TIMES" 169 



CAPTAIN MAYNE REID 



CHAPTER I 

Early Life and Surroundings — Studies for the Ministry — 
His Heart's Desires — Sails for America. 

Mayne Reid, the subject of this life-history, was 
bom on the 4th of April, 18 18, at Ballyroney, County 
Down, in the north of Ireland. He was the eldest 
son of the Rev. Thomas Mayne Reid, a Presbyterian 
minister of great learning and ability. His mother 
was a daughter of the Rev. Samuel Rutherford, a 
descendant of the "hot and hasty Rutherford" 
mentioned in Sir Walter Scott's " Marmion." 

Mayne Reid was of Scotch extraction on both 
sides. His great-grandfather, the Rev. Thomas 
Maine, a noted Presbyterian divine of Lanarkshire, 
Scotland, accepted a call to the ministry of Closkilt, 
Drumgooland, County Down, Ireland, in 1749. One 
of this gentleman's daughters married John Reid, also 
of the Scotch ministry, who was the paternal grand- 
father of Mayne Reid, our author. 



2 CAPTAIN MAYNE REID 

The Rutherfords settled in County Monoghan, 
Ireland, and some of them were officers in King 
William's army at the battle of the Boyne, in 1750. 
For their services they were granted what in Ireland 
is termed " town-land." 

The author's father, the Rev. Thomas Ma)me Reid, 
son of John Reid, succeeded to the ministry of 
Closkilt, Drumgooland, and with his wife occupied 
the same old house in which the Rev. Thomas Maine 
had settled on his arrival from Scotland. In this 
house Mayne Reid, our author, was bom. 

The boy was christened Thomas Mayne, but the 
first name was dropped some years later, and he was 
known only as Mayne Reid. Several daughters had 
been bom to Mr. and Mrs. Reid before the advent of 
their first son, and other children followed ; but Mayne 
was the only child destined to figure in the world's 
history. 

The house in which Mayne Reid was bom was a 
long one-storey building of grey stone, common to 
Ireland at that period. It was picturesquely situated 
on an eminence facing the Mourne Mountains, at the 
base of which lies the town of Newcastle, a favourite 
sea-side resort, and the beautiful Bay of Dundrum, 
with its wild and rocky coast, abounding in 
legendary lore. 

The approach from the road was by a straight and 
steeply-ascending avenue. The house was called 
Mourne View; the homestead included a farm of 



CAPTAIN MAYNE REID 3 

considerable extent, on which Mr. Reid spent the 
time not devoted to his clerical duties. 

Thus young Ma}me was bom amidst surroundings 
that helped to foster in him the romance and poetry 
for which he was afterwards distinguished. And as 
the lad grew up, a passion for natural history was 
developed, for ample opportunities for studying 
Nature in her various aspects existed even around his 
own home. 

As a boy he was manly and self-reliant, as well as 
a reo^nised leader among his playmates, whom he 
excelled in all feats of agility and strength. He was 
also a fearless rider and a good shot He was 
frequently employed in some ingenious contrivance 
for the trapping of birds and animals, in which young 
Mayne was often aided by one of his father's old 
servants — Hugh M'lvoy ; the latter could " stroke a 
trout,** and was held in high estimation by his young 
master. 

A frequent expression of Mayne Reid's was : •* I 
have all the talent of the Reids, and all the devilry 
of the Rutherfords." He certainly inherited at least 
the " hot and hasty temper " of his mother's family. 
The father of Mayne, however, was of a most placid 
disposition. He was greatly beloved by his 
parishioners, and respected alike by Protestants and 
Catholics. It used to be said of him by the peasantry : 
* Mr. Reid is so polite, he would bow to the ducks I " 

Learning seemed to come to young Mayne N«\l\v 



4 CAPTAIN MAYNE RE ID 

scarcely an effort, and his several tutors found in him 
an apt pupil. He attended school at Ballyroney for 
a short time, afterwards becoming a pupil of the 
Rev. David McKee, who kept a classical school at 
Katesbridge, near Ballyroney. To this teacher of 
his youth Mayne Reid afterwards dedicated one of his 
boys' books—** The Plant Hunters." 

It was the earnest desire of both parents that their 
eldest son should enter the Church. Therefore, at 
the age of sixteen years, Mayne was sent to the 
Royal Academical Institution, Belfast, Ireland, to 
prepare for the ministry of the Presbyterian denom- 
ination. After four years' study, however, it was 
found that his inclinations were altogether opposed 
to this calling. He carried off prizes in mathe- 
matics, classics, and elocution ; he distinguished him- 
self in the college athletic sports — anything but 
theology. 

It is recorded that on one occasion, when young 
Mayne was called upon to make a prayer, he utterly 
failed, breaking down at the first few sentences- 
This effort was called by his fellow-students " Reid's 
wee prayer." 

During the time that young Mayne Reid was 
studying at the Royal Academical Institution, 
Belfast, he and his cousin Archie shared a room. It 
was usual for the Rev. Mr. Reid to look in on them 
when he visited Belfast 

Early one evening the two young gentlemen were 



CAPTAIN MAYNE REID 5 

making preparations for attending an evening party. 
On the table lay a pair of curling tongs, and young 
Mayne was unfolding a paper parcel^ displaying a 
pair of elegant patent-leather dancing pumps, when a 
step was heard on the stairs, which Mayne reo^nised 
as his father's, the old gentleman being slightly lame, 
and always using a stick when walking. 

The curling tongs and dancing pumps were quickly 
hidden from sight under a comer of the carpet But 
his reverence, soon after entering the room, unearthed 
the quarry, and holding up the curling tongs, said : 
** These belong to you, Mayne ? " 

The amount of pocket-money allowed was small, 
and the father regarded such luxuries as a great 
extravagance. Indeed, he was constantly lecturing 
his son on the vanity of personal adornment — 
especially so when the small bills were sent in to him. 
But in this case the curling tongs belonged to the 
nephew, and the pumps^ a more expensive item, to 
his son. 

Mayne Reid was heard to say: "My mother 
would rather have had me settle down as a minister, 
on a stipend of one hundred a year, than know me to 
be the most famous man in history." 

The good mother could never understand her 
eldest son's ambition, whose daring and restless 
spirit was so unlike her other children. She, how- 
ever, was happy in seeing her second son, John, 
succeed his father as pastor of Closkilt, and h^t 



6 CAPTAIN MAYNE REID 

daughters, with one exception, married to ministers 
of the kirk. 

Having received a good classical education, Mayne 
tried to settle down at Ballyroney as a tutor, after 
leaving college, although this effort M'as made almost 
wholly on his mother's account But he soon had 
enough of this tame occupation, and abandoned it 

Mayne Reid early evinced a war spirit ; in fact, he 
was born to be a soldier. When quite a small boy, 
he was often found running bareheaded and bare- 
footed along the road after a drum-and-fife band, 
greatly to his mother's dismay. On one occasion 
she chided him, saying : " What will the folks think 
to see Mr. Reid's son going about like this?" To 
which the boy replied : " I don't care ; I'd rather be 
Mr. Drum than Mr. Reid ! " 

It not infrequently happens that many of the 
salient points of a certain ancestor centre in one 
member of the family. This was clearly exemplified 
in Mayne Reid, who had inherited from the Ruther- 
fords that strain of adventurous blood which forbade 
him to settle down in his native home, to the 
commonplace life enjoyed by his brothers and 
sisters. 

A daring restlessness was upon him to go forth 
into other lands, and carve out for himself a new 
life. He longed to travel in America, the famous 
land of promise ; especially did he desire to see for 
himself the vast prairies and deep forests of the 



CAPTAIN MAYNE REID 7 

Western United States, about which he had often 
read, and to mingle with the Indian and white 
hunter in their wild life. Like young Norval, he had 
** heard of battles," and he "* longed to follow to the 
fidd.** 

At last his barque was launched on the voysg^ of 
adventure, and finally, with the consent of both 
parents, Mayne Reid left Ireland in 1839, his father 
taking passage for him on board the sailing ship 
Dumfriesshire^ bound for New Orleans. On his 
voyage out, young Reid amused himself by learning 
a little sailoring. He afterwards utilised this 
knowledge in some of his sea books of adventures 
for boys. 

To give expression to his feelings, we here quote 
Mayne Reid's own words : — 

" Like other striplings escaped from college, I was 
no longer happy at home. The yearning for travel 
was upon me, and without a sigh I beheld the hills of 
my native land sink behind the black waves, not 
much caring whether I should ever see them again." 



CHAPTER II 

Adrift in New Orleans — Opinion of a Classical Education 
— Several Years of Eventful Life — Naskoilh 
Americanos Description — ^Joins a Company of Actors. 

Mayne Reid's interest in the new country wherein 
he had set foot was all-absorbing from the first, and 
for several days after his arrival he occupied the 
time in closely observing the strange scenes and 
peoples of America's most cosmopolitan city. When 
he finally turned his attention to securing employ- 
ment, he was surprised to find that his classical 
education offered him little or no assistance. He 
afterwards expressed himself on this point as 
follows : — 

" And one of my earliest surprises — one that met 
me on the very threshold of my Transatlantic 
existence — was the discovery of my own utter 
uselessness. I could point to my desk and say, 
* There lie the proofs of my erudition ; the highest 
prizes of my college class.' But of what use are 
they ? The dry theories I had been taught had no 
application to the purposes of real life. My logic was 

the prattle of the parrot ; my classic lore lay upon 

8 



CAPTAIN MAYNE REID 9 

my mind like lumber. And I was altogether about as 
well prepared to struggle with life — to benefit either 
my fellow-men or myself — as if I had graduated in 
Chinese mnemonics. And oh I ye pale professors, 
who drilled me in syntax and scansion, ye would 
deem me ungrateful indeed were I to give utterance 
to the contempt and indignation which I then felt 
for ye ; then, when I looked back upon ten years of 
wasted existence spent under your tutelage; then, 
when, after believing myself an educated man, the 
illusion vanished, and I awoke to the knowledge that 
I knew nothing." 

Young Reid was now thrown entirely upon his 
own resources ; for although he had carried out letters 
of introduction to several houses in New Orleans, 
with his characteristic independence these documents 
had been flung overboard on discovering that one 
of his fellow-passengers possessed letters to the 
same Arms. 

It was not long, however, before he secured a 
situation with a large commission house, where he 
remained for a time. Among other duties, Reid had 
charge of gangs of slaves, which were constantly 
received by the house for auction sale. Mayne Reid 
soon saw enough of this business to render it parti- 
cularly distasteful to him, and he was not sorry to 
terminate the engagement. 

Finally leaving New Orleans, Mayne Reid went to 
Natchez, Miss., where he acted as clerk in a slote« 



10 CAPTAIN MAYNE REID 

His suave and pleasing manners in his new situation 
attracted many customers, and he was soon promoted 
and given a good salary. 

At this period Natchez was the resort of river 
gamblers, thieves, and desperate characters ; it was 
i also the rendezvous of trappers and Indian traders, 

being the nearest town of any considerable size 
to the junction of the Red River with the Mis- 
sissippi. 

Space will not permit us to follow Mayne Reid in 
his every-day life on the Lower Mississippi. Many 
interesting experiences and observations may be 
gleaned by the curious reader from his •* Quadroon," 
a romance which, he informs us, '' is founded upon an 
actual experience." 

During his residence in Louisiana and Mississippi, 
Mayne Reid became acquainted with many hunters 
and Indian traders ; especially did his position as 
storekeeper at Natchez bring him in contact with 
these hardy pioneers. From their lips his willing ear 
absorbed many a tale of adventure and hair-breadth 
escape, thereby increasing his own desire for a taste 
of wild life, aud finally inducing him to satisfy his 
cravings. 

The Red River of the Souths that extensive water- 
way, rising on the eastern border of New Mexico, 
flowing through a portion of Texas and Arkansas, 
and thence nearly equally dividing the State of 
Louisiana — ^this was the highway Mayne Jleid chose 



CAPTAIN MAYNE REID ii 

for two extensive trading expeditions among the 
Indians. 

The river flowed through a populous Indian territory, 
and along its borders, and in the back country this 
bold adventurer spent months among the red men ; 
trading his wares for their furs and skins, learning 
somewhat of their language and knowledge of 
woodcraft, sometimes lodging under their shelters, 
and eating by their camp-fires. With them, and the 
white hunters for his teachers, he hunted the buffalo 
and grizzly bear ; trapped the beaver and otter, and 
lassoed the wild horse or mustang. Wherever he 
went, his frank and genial nature and his daring 
spirit won for him many friends. 

He was an ardent lover of Nature, and took great 
pleasure in closely observing and studying everything 
that he came in contact with in his prairie life, 
whether mammal, bird, tree or plant " In the same 
excursion," he tells us in one of his books, *' I was 
hunter and naturalist." 

He afterwards ascended the Missouri and the Platte 
rivers, trading as before. At that period a day's 
journey westward from the Mississippi carried the 
traveller clear of civilised life, and within a hundred 
miles the prairies were often black with moving masses 
of buffalo. Returning from these trips, he organised 
several hunting expeditions after the great game. 
On one of these, starting from St. Louis, he was 
accompanied, among others, by Audubon, the famous 



12 CAPTAIN MAYNE REID 

naturalist, who took an especial interest in giving 
Mayne Reid the benefit of his experience. 

This period of his life is embodied in the " Scalp 
Hunters," the " Desert Home," and the " Hunter's 
Feast" 

Spending several years in the wilderness, it is 
little wonder that a man of Mayne Reid's education 
and powers of observation should become an ardent 
and able field-naturalist ; or that, with his fondness 
for boys, he should afterwards take delight in record- 
ing his observations for the entertainment and 
improvement of what he often called his "boy 
public." Referring to his wild life, he says, in the 
preface to his " Hunter's Feast " : — 

" I have spent some years in the Far West. I have 
ridden wildly with the hunter, and strolled quietly 
with the naturalist. I excel not in the chase, I excel 
not in the knowledge of natural history—- but both I 
love. ... I love to paint those scenes with words; 
for while so occupied I feel as if they were ag^ain 
passing before me." 

• ••••• • 

In strange contrast was the life of Mayne Reid at 
Nashville, Tenn., whither he went from the prairies 
of the West Here his classical education was of 
some use, for he was engaged as tutor in a private 
family — that of Judge Peyton Robertson. He soon 
became a favourite with both pupils and employer. 
One of the former corresponded with him till shortly 



CAPTAIN MAYNE REID 13 

before his (Mayne Reid's) death. Later, Masme 
Reid established a school of his own at Nashville, 
and erected a building for that purpose at his own 
expense. 

The Nashville American thus described Ma)me 
Reid as he then appeared : — 

" Not over twenty-five, well built, about five feet 
ten inches in height ; with a face of classic mould, 
not full, but with prominent points, that made a good 
impression on all who knew him. In conversation he 
was bright, and in manner winsome. He was fond 
of poetry, and would repeat from favourite authors 
by the hour to a coterie of companions, lolling about 
the banks of Richland Creek, or sitting at night 
with a friendly set. 

"During the time he taught school he enjoyed 
great popularity. He was much given to horseback 
riding, possessing a superb animal which he rode 
with great daring. As an instance which showed the 
recklessness of his nature, it is told that he could 
with difficulty be restrained from having himself 
lowered into an unexplored cave out on Harpeth 
River, twelve miles from town, and was only deterred 
by his companions refusing to have anything to do 
with the project. He grew to be very fond of his 
surroundings and the people here. The attachment 
was reciprocated, the fondest recollections existing of 
him to this day." 

The following interesting observations relating to 



14 CAPTAIN MAYNE REID 

large timber give us another glimpse of Masme Reid 
at this period : — 

*' Some of the standing trees have large crevices in 
their trunks, particularly those of the sycamore or 
buttonwood species. I will here state two facts 
illustrating this peculiarity: In riding through a 
thick forest in the Tennessee ' bottom/ I chanced 
upon a squatter, who with his whole family — a wife 
and two or three children — was living and actually 
burning a fire within the trunk of a standing sycamore! 
On inquiry, I learned that the man — a tall, bearded, 
and singular-looking man he was — had passed the 
winter in this odd habitation. It would not confirm 
my statement to give the man's name, though I re- 
member it well, for I made his acquaintance and 
hunted deer with him afterwards. His name was 
Satterfield. He was a squatting hunter, and lived 
entirely on the produce of his long brown rifle. 

"The other fact is this: In the winter of 1840, 
myself and two friends, travelling in the Mississippi 
* bottom,' spent the night with our three horses in the 
cavity of a buttonwood tree. Our horses were full- 
sized animals, and we had ample room for all I It 
was a cold, heavy rain, that lasted through the whole 
night ; and we preferred this shelter to sitting around 
a log fire, and getting soaked to the skin." 

Many incidents of Mayne Reid's experience in 
Tennessee may be found in his romance, the '* Wild 
Huntress " ; also one sketch in the " Hunter's Feast" 



CAPTAIN MAYNE RE ID 15 

Mayne Rdd soon grew tired of the still life in a 
school-house, and it was not long before he went in 
quest of some new adventure. 

Later, drifting to Cincinnati, Ohio, he joined a 
company of travelling actors, by way of chai^^e, but 
very soon convinced himself that play-acting was not 
his forte. He was anxious to keep this little episode 
of his life from the knowledge of his family in 
Ireland. They, strict Presbyterians as they were, 
looked upon actors as almost lost to the Evil One. 
But the fact leaked out some years later. Of all his 
varied adventures, Mayne Reid would never tell us of 
his failure in this one line of business, though he 
would dwell^ on his talent as store-keeper and 
schoolmaster. 



CHAPTER III 

Early Literary Productions — Defence of Edgar 

Allan Poe. 

Leaving the strolling players, the hunter, naturalist, 
and schoolmaster turned from the Far West to the 
cities of the Atlantic. The spirit of adventure bom 
in Mayne Reid was now for a time burning itself 
out, and the sparks from its dying embers kindled 
the poetic Hre in his brain ; and between the years 
1842 and 1846 we hear of Mayne Reid as a poet, 
newspaper correspondent, and editor. 

In the autumn of 1842 he had reached Pittsburg, 
Pennsylvania. Here he contributed poetry to the 
Pittsburg Chronicle under the nom-de-plume of 
the "Poor Scholar." At this time he encountered 
many hardships in his efforts to make a livelihood by 
his pen. And but for the kind friends he found 
among some Irish residents in Pittsburg, it would 
have fared much harder in the cold severe winter of 
that city with our struggling young author. 

By the following spring, 1843, Mayne Reid 

travelled on to Philadelphia, and settled down in that 

City, devoting all his energies to literature. His best 

16 



CAPTAIN MAYNE REID 17 

productions appeared in a monthly magazine of high 
class, called Godeys Ladie^ Book^ the most 
ambitious of his efforts being a poem entitled '' La 
Cubana: a Romance of the Isles." It ran through 
four numbers of the magazine from February to May, 
1845. The metre is musical, and bears a certain 
resemblance to Byron's "Corsair." The following 
few lines are an extract from " La Cubana " : — 

** The muleteer, mounting, homeward turns his face, 
And goads his laden mule to quicker pace ; 
The weary slave from out the field of cane 
A moment glances at the far free main, 
And sighs as he bethinks him of his chain. 
Short-lived and silent is his thought of pain, 
For, stopping in his task while it is on. 
He reads relief in yonder setting sun, 
For 'tis the herald of his labour done ! 
The poor Bozal, who knows not yet to pray. 
Thinks of his wife and children far away, 
In some rude kraal by Biafra's bay. 
But where are they, that mild and gentle race, 
Who worshipped him with prostrate form and face 
Where is the palm-screened hut of the cacique. 
That once rose over yon barranca's brow ? 
Where are they all ? Son of the island, speak I 
Where the Bohio stood, domes, turrets now 
Alone along the hill-sides proudly gleam 1 
Ha ! thou art sad and silent on the theme ; 
But in thy silence I can read their doom — 
Name, nation, all, have passed into the tomb. 
The tomb ? No — no ; they have not even one 
To tell that they were once, and now are gone ! 

The fading light grows purple on the deep. 
In gorgeous robes the god hath sunk to sleep *, 

B 



i8 CAPTAIN MAYNE REID 

So sets the sun o*er Cuba, with a smile — 

The sweetest that he sheds upon this southern isle 1 " 

As a tribute to his native land, Mayne Reid wrote 
at this time the following poem, which he called ** The 
Land of Innisfail " : — 



" And I must leave thee, Erin 1 'tis my &t( 
And I must wander over many a land I 
The * Scholar ' wasted, worn — ^but may this hand 
That writes thy praises now cold on the sand 
Unburied lie for ever — may no hearth 
Shelter me, vagrant on a foreign strand. 
The cursed and homeless outcast of the earth. 
When I forget thou art the country of my birth ! 
Erin, I love thee ! though thy sunken cheek 
Is pale with weeping, and thy hollow eye. 
With many a stifled groan and rending shriek, 
Reveals dark tales of bitter agony : 
That I have pitied thy sad misery 
Fve proved through every change of land and sea ; 
Tve wafted o'er the ocean many a sigh, 
And many an earnest prayer that thou shouldst be, 
As are thy children's souls, luishackled, happy, free t 
I love thee, though I could not live with thee 1 
The trampler of thy fields, red with gore. 
Had made my home a hell — I would not be 
The fawning minion at a great man's door ; 
I would not beg upon thy wintry moor 
To starve neglected*; and soon as I knew 
That there were other lands, the broad seas o'er. 
With hands to welcome, and with hearts as true — 
I dropped one tear, and bid my native land adieu ! " 

Although Mayne Reid had given up play-acting 
himseU, he now wrote a tragedy in five acts, called 



CAPTAIN MAYNE REID 19 

^ Love's Martyr/' It was completed at Philadelphia, 
November 20, 1846. This date is in the author's 
own handwriting in the MS., which is in the posses- 
sion of his widow. Mayne Reid first called the play 
" Fatal Love ; or, The Husband." It was performed 
at the Walnut Street Theatre, Philadelphia, James 
William Wallack taking the leading part The 
following extract will give the reader some idea of its 
poetic and pathetic merit : — 

{Enter Marinella and Lord Casimir.) 

Cos. Marinella I 

Mar, My lord ! 

Cas. Why do you start ? 

Mar, Your voice, my lord, was sudden. I knew not you 
were here. 

Cas, Have you seen Basil yet ? 

Mar, I have, my lord ; he's bid farewell to me. 

Cas, You will feel sad at his departure ? 

Mar, Yes, sad indeed. I do, my lord. 

Cas, Tis natural at parting with a friend — one so endeared 
as Basil is to yoiL 

Mar, Would he would speak upon some other theme 1 

Cas, I, too, regret the cause that carries him away from us. 

Mar, The cause, my lord ? 

Cas, Oh, yes. He goes to France to better his condition. 
When I learnt the true cause of his leaving, I did wish he might 
remain with us. 'Tis not too late ; and I shall use entreaty to 
that end. 

Mar, No— no, my lord ! 

Cas, No ? Why not ? 

Mar» Why — that — I would not he should lose his oppor^ 
tunity of winning £une-— and fortune, too. He much desires to 
<{o— let him proceed, my lord 1 



iO CAPTAIN MAYNE REID 

Cos. Oh I noble sacrifice of a pure woman's heart ! 
Marinella ! 
Mar. My lord ! 
Cos. I have a tale for you. 
Mar, What is't, my lord ? 

[Casi M I R brings forward chairs. TAey sit. 

Cas. Far from the echoes of a troubled world, within the 
soft embrace of vine-clad hills, there lay a sunny vale, in whose 
warm lap and art divine, and nature more divine, poured out 
their wealth in very wantonness — a valley of bright fields and 
emerald groves, above whose glowing foliage lordly towers rose 
to the sapphire sky. Upon the ear there fell no sounds that 
were not musical — the songs of birds and bees and falling waters 
— the voice of Nature's God, as soft and sweet as when it 
thrilled through earth's first paradise ! The winds were never 
rude — no storms came there ; alone the breeze, from the blue 
Appenines, stole softly down among the perfumed trees, filling 
the air with incense 1 It was indeed a scene of loveliness ; and 
over all hung a rich canopy of blue and gold—the sky of Italy. 

Mar. Oh 1 sweet, sweet scene 1 how like our own dear 
home 1 

Cas. Within this vale, a maid of noble lineage had been 
reared. She was indeed the ideal of her sex — the bright 
embodiment of love itself. Of form so lovely — so divine a face, 
it seemed as if the spirit of the place had gendered her from out 
its glowing flowers to make the picture perfect I 

Mar. How beautiful 1 

Cas. This maiden had a brother — a brave youth ; her 
father, too, still lived — a noble lord — the sole possessor of all 
these fair scenes, 'midst which they dwelt in innocence and 
peace, unclouded as their skies. A stranger came from a fax 
distant land and sought this quiet vale. He was a kinsman, and 
at once became its owner's welcome guest — companion of the 
maiden and her brother. He was their elder — ^yet had never 
loved ; for his yoimg days had all been rudely spent within the 
camp, or on the battle-field. But the rare beauty of this glowing 
maid soon stamped its image on his yielding heart ; and he did 
love, as only they can love whose youth's and manhood's fiame 



CAPTAIN MAYNE REID 21 

have but been blent into one burning passion ! He was not 
skilled in love's diplomacy, and knew not even how to woo the 
maid. He told the good old father of his love : who wooed and 
won her for him. They were wed. She then was but a child, 
and little knew the nature of that vow ; but the old lord, fearing 
a malady that vexed him much, desired thus soon to see his 
daughter wedded. Close on the bridal morning, the father died 
— so suddenly, that there was no one near save his confessor — 
whom he gave in charge confession that the youth, whom all 
the world supposed his son, and brother of the maid, was not 
his son, nor yet the maiden's brother ! 

Mar. How strange, my lord ! how like — 

Cos. Nay, hear me, Marinella, to the end. This sad con- 
fession was made known to all — the stranger lord, the maiden, 
and the youth — but they had grown together three such friends 
they would not part ; but lived, like as before, in the sweet 
commune of the common hearth. Now grows my tale more 
sad. In time the maiden found, within her heart, a feeling 
undefined, which never yet bad centred there, or only as a 
dream. It soon became developed — it was love ! love not for 
him whom she had vowed to love, but for the foster-brother ! 
The youth, too, loved the maid. Nature had placed the germ 
within their hearts, where it had Iain amidst the darkness of an 
erring fate, till Nature called it forth to bud and bloom. Each 
sorrowed for their love — each struggled hard to stifle it. When 
they had striven in vain, lest that their friend might suffer from 
the thing, each then resolved to see the other one no more on 
earth. • • • 



During Mayne Reid's residence in Philadelphia he 
made the acquaintance of Edgar Allan Poe, and a 
warm friendship was thenceforth established between 
the two men. After the appearance of Dr. Griswold's 
unjust biography of the dead poet, Mayne Reid thus 
defended the character of his misjudged friend : — 



22 CAPTAIN MAYNE REID 

" Nearly a quarter of a century ago, I knew a man 
named Edgar Allan Poe. I knew him as well as 
one man may know another, after an intimate and 
almost daily association extending over a period of 
two years. He was then a repu|^ poet ; I only an 
humble admirer of the Muses. 

" But it is not of his poetic talent I here intend to 
speak. I never myself had a very exalted opinion of 
it — more especially as I knew that the poem upon 
which rests the head corner-stone of his fame is not 
the creation of Edgar Allan Poe, but of Elizabeth 
Barrett Browning, In * Lady Geraldine's Courtship ' 
you will find the original of the * Raven.' I mean the 
tune, the soft-flowing measure, the imagery and a 
good many of the words — even the * rustling of the 
soft and silken curtain.' 

" This does not seem like defending the dead poet ; 
nor, as a poet, is his defence intended. I could do it 
better were I to speak of his prose, which for classic 
diction and keen analytic power has not been 
surpassed in the republic of letters. Neither to speak 
of his poetry, or his prose, have I taken up the pen ; 
but of what is, in my opinion, of much more import- 
ance than either — his moral character. Contrary to 
my estimate, the world believes him to have been a 
great poet ; and there are few who will question his 
transcendent talents as a writer of prose. But the 
world also believes him to have been a blackguard ; 
and there are but few who seem to dissent from this 
doctrine. 

" I am one of this few ; and I shall give my reasons, 

drawing them from my -own knowledge of the man. 

In attempting to rescue his maligned memory from 



CAPTAIN MAYNE REID 23 



the dutch of his calumniators, I have no design to 
represent Edgar Allan Poe as a model of what a man 
ought to be, either morally or socially. I desire to 
obtain for him only strict justice; and if this be 
accorded, I have no fear that those according it will 
continue to regax^^Mm as the monster he has been 
hitherto depicted Rather may it be that the hideous 
garment will be transferred from his to the shoulders 
of his hostile biographer. 

'* When I first became acqusunted with Poe, he was 
living in a suburban district of Philadelphia, called 
Spring Garden. I have not been there for twenty 
years, and, for aught I know, it may now be in the 
centre of that progressive city. It was then a quiet, 
residential neighbourhood, noted as the chosen 
quarter of the Quakers. 

"Poe was no Quaker; but I remember well he 
was next-door neighbour to one. And in this wise : 
that while the wealthy co-religionist of William Penn 
dwelt in a splendid four-storey house, built of the 
beautiful coral-coloured bricks for which Philadelphia 
is celebrated, the poet lived in a lean-to of three 
rooms — there may have been a garret, with a closet — 
of painted plank construction, supported against the 
gable of the more pretentious dwelling. 

** If I remember aright, the Quaker was a dealer in 
cereals. He was also Poe's landlord ; and, I think, 
rather looked down upon the poet — though not from 
any question of character, but simply from his being 
fool enough to figure as a scribbler and a poet 

"In this humble domicile I can say that I have 
spent some of the pleasantest hours of my life — 
certainly some of the most intellectual. T\\ey vjtt^ 



24 CAPTAIN MAYNE REID 

passed in the company of the poet himself and his 
wife — a lady angelically beautiful in spirit. No one 
who remembers that dark-eyed, dark-haired daughter 
of Virginia — her own name, if I rightly remember — 
her grace, her facial beauty, her demeanour, so 
modest as to be remarkable, no one who has ever 
spent an hour in her company but will endorse what 
I have said above. I remember how we, the friends 
of the poet, used to talk of her high qualities. And 
when we talked of her beauty, I well knew that the 
rose-tint upon her cheek was too bright, too pure to 
be of earth — that sadly-beautiful light which betokens 
an early tomb. 

"In the little lean-to, besides the poet and his in- 
teresting wife, there was but one other dweller. This 
was a woman of middle age, and almost masculine 
aspect She had the size and figure of a man, with a 
countenance that at first sight seemed scarce 
feminine. A stranger would have been incredulous — 
surprised, as I was — when introduced to her as the 
mother of that angelic creature who had accepted 
Edgar Poe as the partner of her life. 

" Such was the relationship ; and when you came 
to know this woman better, the masculinity of her 
person disappeared before the truly feminine nature 
of her mind ; and you saw before you a type of those 
grand American mothers — such as existed in the 
days when block-houses had to be defended, bullets 
run in red-hot saucepans, and guns loaded for sons 
and husbands to fire them. Just such a woman was 
the mother-in-law of the poet Poe. If not called 
upon to defend her home and family against the 
assaults of the Indian savage, she was against that as 



CAPTAIN MAYNE REID 25 

ruthless, as implacable, and almost as difficult to 
repel — ^poverty. She was the ever-vigilant guardian 
of the house, watching it against the silent but con- 
tinuous sap of necessity, that appeared every day to 
be approaching closer and nearer. She was the sole 
servant, keeping everything clean ; the sole messenger 
doing the errands, making pilgrimages between the 
poet and his publishers, frequently bringing back such 
chilling responses as •The article not accepted/ or 
'The cheque not to be given until such-and-such a 
day ' — often too late for his necessities. 

" And she was also messenger to the market ; from 
it bringing back not the * delicacies of the season,* but 
only such commodities as were called for by the dire 
exigencies of hunger. And yet there were some 
delicacies. I shall never forget how, when peaches 
were in season and cheap, a pottle of these, the 
choicest gifts of Pomona, were divested of their skins 
by the delicate fingers of the poet's wife, and left to 
the * melting mood,' to be amalgamated with Spring 
Garden cream and crystallised sugar, and then set 
before such guests as came in by chance, 

"Reader! I know you acknowledge this to be a 
picture of tranquil domestic happiness ; and I think 
you will believe me when I tell you that it is truthful. 
But I know also you will ask, * What has it to do 
with the poet ? ' since it seems to reflect all the credit 
on his wife, and the woman who called him her son- 
in-law. For all yet said it may seem so ; but I am 
now to say that which may give it a different 
aspect 

"During the two years of intimate personal 
association with Edgar Allan Poe, I found in him lYv^ 



26 CAPTAIN MAYNE REID 

following phases of character, accomplishment, and 
disposition : 

" First, I discovered rare genius ; not at all of the 
poetic order, not even of the fanciful, but far more of 
a practical kind, shown in a power of analytic reason- 
ing such as few men possess^ and which would have 
made him the finest detective policeman in the world. 
Vidocq would have been a simpleton beside 
him. 

'^ Secondly, I encountered a scholar of rare accom- 
plishments---especially skilled in the lore of Northern 
Europe, and more imbued with it than with the 
southern and strictly classic How he had drifted 
into this speciality I never knew ; but he had it in a 
high degree, as is apparent throughout all his writings, 
some of which read like an echo of the Scandinavian 
Sagas. 

*• Thirdly, I felt myself in communication with a 
man of original character, disputing many of the 
received doctrines and dogmas of the day ; but only 
original in so far as to dispute them, altogether re- 
gardless of consequences to himself or the umbrage 
he gave to his adversaries. 

" Fourthly, I saw before me a man to whom vulgar 
rumour had attributed those personal graces supposed 
to attract the admiration of women. This is the 
usual description given of him in biographical 
sketches. And why, I cannot tell, unless it has been 
done to round off a piquant paragraph. His was a 
face purely intellectual. Women might admire it, 
thinking of this ; but it is doubtful if many ever fell, 
or could have fallen, in love with the man to whom it 
belonged. I don't think many ever did It was 



CAPTAIN MAYNE REID 27 

enough for one man to be beloved by one such woman 
as he had for his wife. 

" Fifthly, I feel satisfied that Edgar Allan Poe was 
not what his slanderers have represented him, a rake. 
I know he was not ; but in truth the very opposite. 
I have been his companion in one or two of his wildest 
frolics, and can certify that they never went beyond 
the innocent mirth in which we all indulge when 
Bacchus gets the better of us. With him the jolly god 
sometimes played fantastic tricks — to the stealing 
away of his brain, and sometimes, too, his hat — 
leaving him to walk bareheaded through the streets 
at an hour when the sun shone too clearly on his 
crown, then prematurely bald. 

" While acknowledging this as one of Poe's failings, 
I can speak truly of its not being habitual ; only 
occasional, and drawn out by some accidental circum- 
stance — now disappointment, now the occurrence of 
a social crowd, whose flattering friendship might lead 
to champagne, a single glass of which used to affect 
him so much that he was hardly any longer responsible 
for his actions, or the disposal of his hat. 

" I have chronicled the poet's crimes, all that I ever 
knew him to be guilty of, and, indeed, all that can be 
honestly alleged against him ; though many call him 
a monster. It is time to say a word of his virtues. 
I could expatiate upon these far beyond the space 
left me ; or I might sum them up in a single sentence 
by saying that he was no worse and no better than 
most men. 

** I have known him to be for a whole month 
closeted in his own house — the little •shanty' 
supported against the gable of the rich Quaktt^S\ 



28 CAPTAIN MAYNE RE ID 

the time hard at work with his pen, poorly paid, and 
hard driven to keep the wolf from his slightly-fastened 
door, intruded on only by a few select friends, who 
always found him, what they knew him to be, a 
generous host, an affectionate son-in-law and husband ; 
in short, a respectable gentleman. 

'' In the list of literary men, there has been no such 
spiteful biographer as Dr. Rufus Griswold, and never 
such a victim of posthumous spite as poor Edg^ 
Allan Poe."» 

^Onward Magazine^ New York, 1869; established and 
edited by Mayne Reid. See Chapter XIV. 



CHAPTER IV 

Off to the Mexican War — Commissioned a Second Lien- 
tenant — Later Intentions — Graphic Description of the 
Country — Landing of the Troops. 

Mayne Reid left Philadelphia in the spring of 1846, 
spending the summer at Newport, Rhode Island, as 
correspondent to the New York Herald^ under the 
name of ** Ecolier." In September of the same year 
he was in New York, and had secured a post on 
Wilkes's Spirit of the Times. 

But now the spirit of adventure once more 
awoke in the breast of Mayne Reid, and the battle- 
field was his goal. The war with Mexico was in the 
air. Regiments were being raised in New York for 
the invasion of Mexico to protect the United States 
territory, and Mayne Reid flung down his pen and 
tendered his services at the first call for volunteers. 
He obtained a commission as second lieutenant to 
the 1st New York Volunteers — the first regiment 
raised in New York for the Mexican War — and of 
which Ward B. Burnett was colonel, General Scott 

being at that time commander-in-chief of thi^ 

J9 



30 CAPTAIN MAYNE REID 

American army, and in January, 1847, Mayne Reid 
sailed with the raiment for Vera Cruz. 

• •••••• 

A short time previous to his death, Mayne Reid 
conceived the idea of writing his personal reminis- 
cences of the Mexican War, and had commenced to 
sketch out the opening chapters. 

Alas I this work was never finished ; the ink was 
scarcely dry on the last pages written before Mayne 
Reid took to the bed from which he never arose. 

• •••••• 

The following description of the country and 
account of the invasion of Mexico, and of some of 
the principal and stirring scenes that followed, are 
given in Mayne Reid's own graphic and spirited 
words. In presenting these last memories to the 
public, Elizabeth Reid, his widow, feels that she is, 
in a measure, carrying out the author's latest design. 

"During the first months of 1847 the look-out 
sentinel, stationed on the crenated parapet of San 
Juan d'Ulloa, must have seen an array of ships 
unusual in numbers for that coast so little frequented 
by mariners — equally unusual in the kind of craft 
and the men on board ; for in addition to the half- 
score of ships flying the flags of different nations — 
some at anchor close to the castle, some under the 
lee of Sacrificios Isle — there was a stream of other 
craft out in the offing, not at anchor or lying to, but 
passing coastwise up and down beyond the most 
distant range of cannon shot : craft of every size and 



CAPTAIN MAYNE REID 31 

speciality— schooners, br^ barques, and square-rigged 
three-masters, from a 200ton sloop to a ship of as 
many thousands. Not armed vessels either, though 
every one of them was loaded to the water-line either 
with armed and uniformed men or the materials of 
war ; in the large ones a whole regiment of soldiers, 
in the less half a regiment, a consort ship containing 
the other half, and in some but two or three com- 
panies, all they were capable of accommodating. 

^ Some carried cavalrymen, with their horses, others 
artillerymen, with their mounts and batteries, while a 
large number were but laden with the senseless 
material of war tents, waggons, the effects coming 
under the head of commissariat and quartermaster 
stores. Not one out of twenty of these vessels was 
an actual man-of-war ; but one might be seen leading 
and guiding a group of the others, as if their convoy 
to some known pre-arranged destination. Just this 
were they doing, escorting the transport ships to their 
anchorage pre-determined. 

"Two such anchorages were there, quite thirty 
miles apart from one another, though in the 
diaphanous atmosphere of the Vera Cruz coast a 
bird of eagle eye soaring midway between could 
command a view of both. The one northernmost 
was the Isle of Lobos; that south, Punta Anton 
Lizardo. To the first I shall take the reader, as to it 
I was first taken myself. 

" Lobos Islet lies off the Vera Cruz coast, opposite 
the town of Tuxpan, and about two miles. It is 
of circular form, and if I remember rightly, about 
a half-mile in diameter. Its availability as an 
anchorage comes from a surrounding of coral reefs^ 



32 



CAPTAIN MAYNE REID 



with a gap in its northero side that admits ships 
water the breakers cannot disturb. Chiefly is 
harbour of refuge against the dreaded norther of the 
Caribbean coast, and a vessel caught in one of these 
might run for it ; but not likely, unless her papers 
were not presentable to the Vera Cruz Custom-House. 
If they were, the shelter under Sacrificios would be 
safer and easily reached. 

" In later times the contraband is ta is the man who 
has most availed himself of the advantages of Lobos, 
and in times more remote the filibusters ; the Tuxpan 
fishermen also occasionally beach their boats upon it 
But that neither buccaneer, smuggler, nor fi.sherman 
had frequented it lately, we had proof given us on 
landing on its shores by its real denizens, the birds. 
These several species of sea-fowl were very tame ; 
they flew screaming over the heads of the soldiers 
so close that many were knocked down by their 
muskets. They became shy enough anon. 

"We found the island covered all over with a thick 
growth of chaparral ; it could not be called forest, as 
the tallest of the trees was but some fifteen or twenty 
feet in height. The species was varied, most of them 
of true tropical character, and amongst them was one 
that attracted general attention as being the " india- 
rubber tree." Whether it was the true Sipkonica 
elastica I cannot say, though likely Jt was that or 
an allied species. 

" The peculiarity of this isle, and one making it 
attractive to contrabandista and filibusters, is that 
fresh water is found on il. Near its summit centre, 
not over six feet above the ocean level, is a well ot 
hole, artificially dug out in the sand, some six ft 



it »n 



CAPTAIN MAYNE REID 33 

deep. The water in this rises and falls with the tide, 
a law of hydranh'cs not well understood. Its taste is 
slightly brackish, but for all that was greatly relished 
by us — possibly from having been so long upon the 
cask-water of the transport ships. Near this well we 
found an old musket and loading pike, rust-eaten, 
and a very characteristic souvenir of the buccaneers ; 
also the unburied skeleton of a man, who may have 
been one of their victims. 

"The troops landed on Lobos were the ist New 
York Volunteers, South Carolina; ist and 2nd 
Pennyslvania, etc, etc. One of the objects in this 
debarkation was to give these new regiments an 
opportunity for drilling, such as the time might 
permit, before making descent upon the Mexican 
coast But there was no drill ground there, as we 
saw as soon as we set foot on shore — not enough of 
open space to parade a single regiment in line, unless 
it were formed along the ribbon of beach. 

** On discovery of this want, there followed instant 
action to supply it — a curious scene, hundreds of 
uniformed men plying axe and chopper, hewing and 
cutting, even the officers with their sabres slashing 
away at the chaparral of Lobos Island ; a scene of 
great activity, and not without interludes of amuse- 
ment, as now and then a snake, scorpion, or lizard, 
dislodged from its lair and attempting escape, drew a 
group of relentless enemies around it In time, 
enough surface was cleared for camp and parade- 
ground. Then up went soldiers* bell tents and 
officers' marquees, in company rows and regimental, 
each regiment occupying its allotted ground. 

'' The old buccaneers may have caroused in L.obos> 

e 



34 CAPTAIN MAYNE REID ■ 

but never could they have been merrier than we, nor 
had they ampler means for promoting cheer, even 
though resting there after a successful raid. Both 
our sutlers and the skippers of our transport ships, 
with keen eye to contingencies, were well provided 
with stories of the fancy sort ; many a champagne 
cork had its wire cut on Lobos, and probably now, 
in that bare isle, would be found an array of empty 
bottles lying half buried in the sand. 

" Any one curious about the life we led on Lobos 
Island will find some detailed description of it in ^ 
book I have written, called ' The Rifle Rangers,' givefl 
to the public as a romance, yet for all more of^| 
reality. H 

" Our sojourn there was but brief, ending in .^M 
fortnight or so, still it may have done something t^| 
help out the design for which it was made. It goH 
several regiments of green soldiers through t^H 
'goose-step,' and, better stitl, taught them the ways <^| 
camp and campaigning life. ^M 

"(Mem. — A fright from threatened small-pox, a 
trouble with insects, scorpions, and little crabs. Also J 
curious case of lizard remaining on my tent rid^^| 
pole for days without moving. No wonder a^| 
Shakespeare's ' Chameleon feeding on air.' Amuse^| 
ments, stories, and songs ; mingling of mariners wiU^| 
soldiers. Norther just after landing, well protecteoH 
under Lobos.) ^M 

" La Villa Rica de Vera Cms (the rich city of th^| 
True Cross) viewed from the sea, presents a pictur^| 
unique and imposing. It vividly reminded me of th^| 
vignette engravings of cities in Goldsmith's ol^| 
geography, from which I got my earliest lessoo^l 



CAPTAIN MAYNE REID 35 

about foreign lands. And just as they were bordered 
by the engraver's lines, so is Vera Cruz embraced by 
an encienU of wall. For it is a walled city, without 
suburbs, scarce a building of any kind beyond the 
parapet and fosse engirdling it. Roughly speaking, 
its ground plan is a half-circle, having the sea-shore 
for diameter, this not more than three-quarters of a 
mile in length. There is no beach or strand inter- 
vening between the houses and the sea, the former 
overlooking the latter, and protected from its wash by 
a breakwater buttress. 

** The architecture is altogether unlike that of any 
American or English seaport of similar size. Sub- 
stantially massive, yet full of graceful lines, most of 
the private dwellings are of the Hispano-Morsican 
order, flat-roofed and parapeted, while the public 
buildings, chiefly the churches, display a variety of 
domes, towers, and turrets worthy of Inigo Jones or 
Christopher Wren. 

" From near the centre of the semi-circle a pier or 
mole. El Muello^ projects about a hundred yards into 
the sea, and on this all visiting voyagers have to 
make landing, as at its inner end stands the Custom- 
House. Fronting this on an islet, or rather a reef of 
coral rocks, stands the fortress castle of San Juan 
d'UUoa, off" shore about a quarter of a mile. It is a 
low structure, with the usual caramite coverings and 
crenated parapet, surmounted by a watch and flag- 
tower. 

** The anchorage near it is neither good nor ample, 
better being found under the lee of Sacriflcios, a 
small treeless islet lying south of it nearly a league, 
and, luckily for us, beyond the range of UlWs ^uus^ 



36 CAPTAIN MAYNE RE ID 

as also those of a fort at the southern extremity of 
the city. 

" Hundreds of ships may ride there in safety, though 
not so miamy nor so safe as at Anton Lizardo. 
Perhaps never so many, nor of such varied kind, were 
brought to under it as on March 9, 1847. 

" The surf boats are worthy of a word, as without 
them our beaching would have been difficult and 
dangerous, if not impossible. They were of a whale- 
boat speciality, and, as I remember, of two sizes. 
The larger were built to carry two hundred men, the 
smaller half this number. Most of them were brought 
to Anton Lizardo in two large vessels, and so hastily 
had they been built and dispatched that there had 
not been time to paint them, all appearing in that 
pale slate colour known to painters as the priming 
coat Of course, none had any decking, only the 
thwarts. 

" The commander-in-chief had made requisition for 
1 50 of these boats, though only sixty-nine arrived at 
Anton Lizardo in time to serve the purpose they 
were intended for. 

"The capture of Vera Cruz was an event alike 
creditable to the army and navy of the United States, 
for both bore part in it ; and creditable not only on 
account of the courage displayed, but the strategic 
skill. It was, in truth, one of those coups in which 
boldness was backed up by intelligence even to 
cunning, this last especially shown in the way we 
effected a landing. 

" The fleet, as already said, lay at Anton Lizardo, 

each day receiving increase from new arrivals. When 

at length all that were expected had come to anchor 



CAPTAIN MAYNE RE ID 37 

there, the final preparations were made for descent 
upon the land of Montezuma, and all we now waited 
for was a favouring wind. I do not remember how 
many steam vessels we had, but I think only two or 
three. Could we have commanded the services of a 
half-score steam tugs, the landing might have been 
effected at an earlier date. 

"The day came when the wind proved all that 
was wanted. A light southerly breeze, blowing up 
the coast almost direct for Vera Cruz, had declared 
itself before sunrise, and by earliest daybreak all was 
activity. Alongside each transport ship, as also some 
of the war vessels, would be seen one or more of the 
great lead-coloured boats already alluded to, with 
streams of men backing down the man-ropes and 
taking seats in them. These men were soldiers in 
uniform and full marching order — knapsacks strapped 
on, haversacks filled and slung, cartouche-box on hip, 
and gun in hand. In perfect order was the transfer 
made from ship to boat, and, when in the boats, each 
company had its own place same as on a parade- 
ground. Where it was a boat that held two companies, 
one occupied the forward thwarts, the other the stern, 
their four officers (captain, first lieutenant, second, 
and brevet) conforming to their respective places. 
But there were other than soldiers in the boat, each 
having its complement of sailors from the ships. 

" A gun from the ship that carried our commander- 
in-chief gave the signal for departure from Punta 
Anton Lizardo, and, while its boom was still rever- 
berating, ship after ship was seen to spread sail ; 
then one after another, under careful pilotage, slipped 
out through the roadway of the coral reef, ste^m- 



38 CAPTAIN MAYNE REID 

ing up coast straight for Vera Cruz, the doomed 
city. 

" While sweeping up the coast, I can perfectly re- 
member what my own feelings were, and how much 
I admired the strategy of the movement Who 
should get credit for it I cannot tell; but I can 
hardly think that Winfield Scott's was the head that 
planned this enterprise, my after-experience with this 
man guiding me to regard him as a soldier incapable 
— in short, such as late severe critics have called him, 
* Fuss and feathers/ * The hasty plate of soup ' was 
then ringing around his name. Whoever planned it 
is deserving of great praise. Its ingenuity, mislead- 
ing our enemy, lay in making the latter believe that 
we intended to make a landing at Anton Lizardo. 
Hence all the disposable force that could be spared 
from the garrison at Vera Cruz was there to oppose 
us. And when our ships hastily drew in anchor and 
went straight for Vera Cruz, as hawks at unprotected 
quarry, these detached garrison troops saw the mis- 
take they had made. The coast road from Vera Cruz 
to Anton Lizardo is cut by numerous streams, all 
bridgeless. To cross them safely needed taking 
many a roundabout route — so many that the swiftest 
horse could not reach Vera Cruz so soon as our 
slowest ship, and we were there before them. We 
did not aim to enter the port nor come within range 
of its defending batteries, least of all those of San 
Juan d'Ulloa. The islet of Sacrificios, about a league 
from the latter, whose southern end affords sheltering 
anchorage, was the point we aimed at ; and there our 
miscellaneous flotilla became concentrated, some of 
the ships dropping anchor, others remaining adrift 



CAPTAIN MAYNE REID 39 

Then the beaching boats, casting off* hawsers, were 
rowed stra^ht for the shore, about half a mile off. 
A shoal strand it was, where a boat's keel touched 
bottom long before reaching dry land. That in which 
I was did so, and well do I remember how myself 
and comrades at once sprang over the g^unwales, and, 
waist deep, waded out to the sand-strewn shore. 

"There we encountered no enemy — nothing to 
obstruct us. All the antagonism we met with or saw 
was a stray shot or two from some long-range guns 
mounted on the parapet of the most southern fort of 
the city. But our feet were now surely planted on 
the soil of Mexico." 



CHAPTER V 

"Sketches of a. Skirmisher"— Siege and Caplure of Vtti 
Cruz — Battles of Cerro Gordo, Contreras, and J 
Churubusco — An Amusing Mishap — Influence over 1 
his Men. 



Before continuing Mayne Reid's spirited account,.] 
it is appropriate at this place to briefly refer to the J 
first of a series of articles commenced while he was J 
stationed at Vera Cruz. These were entitled ] 
"Sketches of a Skirmisher," and were published in I 
the New York Spirit of the Times, over the nom-de- \ 
plume " Ecolier." The first paper, dated " American. ] 
Lines behind Vera Crur, March 20, 1847," and 1 
published in the issue of May r, contained the 
following subjects : "The Sand-Hills of Vera Cruz," 
"The Rancho and the Ranchero," "An Encounter 
with Guerillas," and "An Encounter with Girls, not , 
Guerillas." 

Several columns of space were occupied, and the ] 
reader of these sketches was no doubt loath to reach I 
the last line, for they were written in that entertain- 1 
ing style so peculiar to the writer. A brief extract f 



CAPTAIN MAYNE RE ID 41 

from the first sketch, " The Sand- Hills of Vera Cruz," 
is subjoined : — 

" What a glorious sunset I What a lovely land ! 
The lone peak of Orizaon and the long cordillera of 
the Mexican Andes stretches along the western sky, 
distinguished from it only by their outline of deeper 
blue. The hill upon which I sit and write is one 
vast pile of sand, myself the only living object to be 
seen upon the undulating surface. On my left, and 
far beneath, the blue smoke of the camp-fires oozes 
slowly up among the leaves of the thick chaparral ; 
over a little knoll, cleared of its thicket, waves the 
flag of our own land, kissed by the declining beams of a 
Mexican sun. In the distance, as far as sight can 
reach, stretch the green forests of the south. East- 
ward and at my feet lies cradled the leagured city, 
so near that I almost fancy I can touch its spires 
with my pencil. Beyond, the blue sea, with its white 
breakers, the bold castle of San Juan, and — stirring 
sight ! — a fleet of a hundred sail off the Isle of Sacri- 
ficios, each wearing on its peak the starry flag of the 
North ! " 

" The capture of Vera Cruz," continues the account 
of Mayne Reid, " was an aflFair of artillery. The city 
was bombarded for several days by a semi-circle of 
batteries placed upon the sand-hills in its rear. It at 
length surrendered, and with it the celebrated castle 
of San Juan d'Ulloa. 

" During the siege a few of us who were fond of 
fighting found opportunities of being shot at in the 
back country. The sand-hills — resembling Mur\ocVi 



42 CAPTAIN MAYNE REID 

Banks, only more extensive — form a semi-circle round 
Vera Cruz. The city itself, compactly built, and of 
picturesque appearance, stands upon a low, sandy 
plain — semi-circular, of course — the sea-shore being 
the boundary diameter. Behind the hills of sand, for 
leagues inward, extends a low, jungly countrj^ covered 
with the forests of tropical America. This, like all 
the coast-lands of Mexico, is called the tierra caUe9:U 
(hot land). This region is far from being uninhabited. 
These thickets have their clearings and their cottages, 
the latter of the most temporary construction that 
may serve the wants of man in a climate of almost 
perpetual summer. There are also several villages 
scattered through this part of the tierra calUnte. 

'' During the siege the inhabitants of these cottages 
{ranches) and villages banded together under the 
mm^jarochos or guerrilleroSy but better known to our 
soldiers by the general title rancheros^ and kept up a 
desultory warfare in our rear, occasionally committing 
murders on straggling parties of soldiers who had 
wandered from our lines. 

" Several expeditions were sent out against them, 
but with indifferent success. I was present in many 
of these expeditions, and on one occasion, when in 
command of about thirty men, I fell in with a party 
oi guerrilleros^ nearly a hundred strong, routed them, 
and, after a straggling fight of several hours, drove 
them back upon a strong position, the village of 
Medellini. In this skirmish I was fired at by from 
fifty to a hundred muskets and escopettes, and, 
although at the distance of not over two hundred 
yards, had the good fortune to escape being 
bit 



CAPTAIN MAYNE REID 43 

* One night I was in command of a scouting party 
to reconnoitre a guerilla camp supposed to be some 
five miles away in the country. It was during the 
mid-hours of the night, but under one of those 
brilliant moonlights for which the cloudless sky of 
Mexico is celebrated. Near the edge of an opening 
— the prairie of Santa Fe— our party was brought 
suddenly to a halt at the sight of an object that filled 
every one of us with horror. It was the dead body 
of a soldier, a member of the corps to which the 
scouting party belonged. The body lay at full 
length upon its back ; the hair was clotted with 
blood, and standing out in every direction ; the teeth 
were clenched in agony, the eyes glassy and open, as 
if glaring upon the moon that shone in mid-heaven 
above. One arm had been cut off at the elbow, 
while a large incision in the left breast showed where 
the heart had been torn out, to satisfy the vengeance 
of an inhuman enemy. There were shot-wounds and 
sword-cuts all over the body, and other mutilations 
made by the zopilotes and wolves. Notwithstanding 
all, it was recognised as that of a brave young soldier, 
who was much esteemed by his comrades, and who 
for two days had been missing from the camp. He 
had imprudently strayed beyond the line of 
pickets, and fallen into the hands of the enemy's 
guerriileros. 

" The men would not pass on without giving to his 
mutilated remains the last rites of burial. There 
was neither spade nor shovel to be had, but, fixing 
bayonets, they dug up the turf, and depositing the 
body, gave it such sepulture as was possible. One 
who had been his bosom friend, cutting a slip from ^ 




CAPTAIN MAYNE REFD 



J 



bay laurel close by, planted it in the grave, 
ceremony was performed in deep silence, for 
knew that they were on dangerous ground, and that 
a single shout or shot at that moment might have 
been the signal for their destruction. 

" I afterwards learnt that this fiendish act was 
partly due to a spirit of retaliation. One of the 
American soldiers, a very brutal fellow, shot a 
Mexican, a young jarocho peasant, who was seen 
near the roadside chopping some wood with his 
machete. It was an act of sheer wantonness, or for 
sport, just as a thoughtless boy might fire at a bird 
to see whether he could kill it Fortunately the 
Mexican was not killed, but his elbow was 
shattered by the shot so badly that the whole arm 
required amputation. It was the wantonness of the 
act that provoked retaliation ; and after this the Ux 
talionis became common around Vera Cruz, and was 
practised in all its deadly severity long after the 
place was taken. Several other American soldiers, 
straying thoughtlessly beyond the lines, suffered in 
the same way, their bodies being found mutilated in 
a precisely similar manner. Strange to say, the man 
who was the cause of this vengeance became himself 
one of its victims. Not then, at Vera Cruz, but long 
afterwards, in the Valley of Mexico ; and this was 
the strangest part of it. Shortly after the American 
army entered the capital, his body was found in the 
canal of Las Vigas, alongside the Cbinampas, or 
floating gardens, gashed all over with wounds made 
by the knives of assassins, and mutilated just as the 
others had been. It might ha^e been a mere coinci- 
dence, but it was supposed at the time that the one- 



CAPTAIN MAYNE REID 45 

armed jarocho must have followed him up with that 
implacable spirit of vengeance characteristic of his 
race, until at length, finding him alone, he had 
completed his vendetta. 

"Vera Cruz being taken, we marched for the 
interior. Puente Nacional, the next strong point, 
had been fortified, but the enemy, deeming it too 
weak, fell back upon Cerro Gordo, another strong 
pass about twenty miles from the former. Here they 
were again completely routed, although numbering 
three times our force. In this action I was cheated 
out of the opportunity of having my name recorded 
by the cowardice or imbecility of the major of my 
regiment, who on that day commanded the detach- 
ment of which I formed part In an early part of 
the action I discovered a large body of the enemy 
escaping through a narrow gorge running down the 
face of a high precipice. The force which this officer 
commanded had been sufficient to have captured 
these fugitives, but he not only refused to go forward, 
but refused to give me a sufficient command to 
accomplish the object. I learnt afterwards that 
Santa Anna, commander-in-chief of the Mexican 
army, had escaped by this gorge. 

" After the victory of Cerro Gordo, the army 
pushed forward to Jalapa, a fine village half-way up 
the table-lands. After a short rest here we again 
took the road, and crossing a spur of the Cordilleras, 
swept over the plains of Perote, and entered the city 
of Puebla. Yes, with a force of 3,000 men we 
entered that great city, containing a population of at 
least 75,000. The inhabitants were almost paralysed 
with astonishment and mortification at seeing \iS[\!^ 




CAPTAIN MAYNE REID 



smallness of our force. The balconies, windows, and 
bouse-tops were cro»-ded with spectators ; and there 
were enough men in the streets — had they been men 
— to have stoned us to death. At Puebia we halted 
for reinforcements a period of about two months. 

"In the month of August, 1847, we numbered 
about l2,ooo effective men, and leaving a small 
garrison here, with the remainder. 10,000, we took the 
road for the capital. The city of Mexico lies about 
eighty miles from Puebia. Half-way, another spur of 
the Andes must be crossed. On the 10th of August, 
with an immense ^ege and baggage-train, we moved 
o\-er these pine-clad hills, and entered the Valley of 
Mexictx Here halt was made for reconnaissance, 
which lasted several days. The city stands in the 
middle of a marshy plain interspersed with lakes, and 
is entered by eight roads or causeways. These were 
known to be fortified, but especially that which leads 
through the gate San Lazare, on the direct road to 
Puebia, This was covered by a strong work on the 
hill El Piftol, and was considered by General Scott as 
next to impregnable. To turn this, a wide diversion 
to the north or south was necessary. The latter was 
adopted, and an old road winding around Lake 
Chalco^through the old town of that name, and 
along the base of the southern mountain ridge — was 
found practicable. 

" Wc took this road, and aAer a slow march of four 
days our van-guard debouched on the great National 
Road, which rounds southward from the city of Mexico 
to Acapulco. This road was strongly fortified, and it 
was still further resolved to turn the fortifications on 
it by making more to the west, San Augustin de \as 



CAPTAIN MAYNE REID 47 

Cuenas, a \dllage five leagues from Mexico on the 
National Road, became the point of reserve. On the 
19th of August, General Worth moved down the 
National Road, as a feint to hold the enemy in check 
at San Antonio (strongly fortified), while the divisions 
of Generals Worth and Twiggs, with the brigade of 
Shields — to which I was attached — commenced 
moving across the Pedregal, a tract of country con- 
sisting of rocks, jungle and lava, and almost impas- 
sable. On the evening of the 19th we had crossed 
the Pedregal, and become engaged with a strong 
body of the enemy under General Valencia, at a place 
called Contreras. Night closed on the battle, and 
the enemy still held its position. 

^ It rained all night ; we sat, not slept, in the 
muddy lanes of a poor village, San Geronimo— a 
dreadful night Before daylight. General Persifer 
Smith, who commanded in this battle, had taken his 
measures, and shortly after sunrise we were at it 
again. In less than an hour that army ' of the North,' 
as Valencia's division was styled, being men of San 
Luis Potosi and other northern states, the flower of 
the Mexican army, was scattered and in full flight 
for the city of Mexico. 

" The army was 6,000 strong, backed by a reserve 
of 6,000 more under Santa Anna himself. The 
reserve did not act, owing, it was said, to some 
jealousy between Valencia and Santa Anna. In this 
battle we captured a crowd of prisoners and twenty- 
seven pieces of artillery. 

•' The road, as we supposed, was now open to the 
city ; a great mistake, as the sharp skirmishes which 
our light troops encountered as we advanced sooTv\^d 



48 CAPTAIN MAYNE REID 

us to believe. All at once we stumbled upon the 
main body of the enemy, collected behind two of the 
strongest field works I have ever seen, in a little 
village called Churubusco. 

''The road to the village passed over a small 
stream spanned by a bridge, which was held in force 
by the Mexicans, and it soon became evident that, 
unless something like a flank movement was made, 
they would not be dislodged. The bridge was 
well fortified, and the army attacked fruitlessly in 
front 

'' General Shields' brigade was ordered to go round 
by the hacienda of Los Portales and attack the enemy 
on the flank. They got as far as the bams at Los 
Portales, but would go no farther. They were being 
shot down by scores, and the men eagerly sought 
shelter behind walls or wherever else it could be 
found. Colonel Ward B. Burnett made a desperate 
attempt to get the companies together, but it was 
unsuccessful, and he himself fell badly wounded. 

" The situation had become very critical. I was in 
command of the Grenadier Company of New York 
Volunteers, and saw that a squadron of Mexican 
Lancers were getting ready to charge, and knew that 
if they came on while the flanking party were in such 
a state of disorganisation the fight would end in a 
rout On the other hand, if we charged on them, the 
chances were the enemy would give way and rua 
In any case, nothing could be worse than the present 
state of inaction and slaughter. 

''The lieutenant-colonel of the South Carolina 
Volunteers — their colonel, Butler, having been 
wounded, was not on the field — was canyiog the 



CAPTAIN MAYNE REID 49 

blue palmetto flag of the regiment I cried out to 
him: 

" * Colonel, will you lead the men on a 
charge ? ' 

" Before he could answer, I heard something snap, 
and the colonel fell, with one leg broken at the ankle 
by a shot I took the flag, and as the wounded 
officer was being carried off the field, he cried : 

" * Major Gladden, take the flag. Captain 
Blanding, remember Moultrie, Loundes, and old 
Charleston ! ' 

" Hurrying back to my men, reaching them on the 
extreme right, I rushed on in front of the line, calling 
out: 

" ' Soldiers, will you follow me to the charge ? ' 

" * Ve vill ! * shouted Corporal Haup, a Swiss. 

" The order to charge being given, away we went, 
the Swiss and John Murphy, a brave Irishman, being 
the first two after their leader — myself. 

" The Mexicans, seeing cold steel coming towards 
them with such gusto, took to their heels and made 
for the splendid road leading to the city of Mexico, 
which offered unequalled opportunities for flight 

" A broad ditch intervened between the highway 
and the field across which we were charging. Think- 
ing this was not very deep, as it was covered with a 
green scum, I plunged into it It took me nearly up 
to the armpits, and I struggled out all covered with 
slime and mud. The men avoided my mishap, com- 
ing to the road by a dryer but more roundabout 
path." 

(A newspaper correspondent and eye-witness, in 
describing this amusing incident, said that " as 'Bjdd 



50 CAPTAIN MAYNE REID 

struggled out, covered with slime and mud, he was a 
sight for gods and men ! '') 

" As we got on the road," continues Mayne Reid, 
"Captain Phil Kearney came thundering over the 
bridge with his company, all mounted on dappled 
greys. The gallant Phil had a weakness for dappled 
greys. As they approached I sang out : 

" * Boys, have you breath enough left to give a 
cheer for Captain Kearney ? * 

" Phil acknowledged the compliment with a wave 
of his sword, as he went swinging by towards the 
works the enemy had thrown up across this road. 
Just as he reached this spot, the recall bugle sounded, 
and at that moment Kearney received the shot that 
cost him an arm. 

"Disregarding the bugle call, we of the infantry 
kept on, when a rider came tearing up, calling upon us 
to halt 

'i ' What for ? * I cried. 

" * General Scott's orders.' 

" ' We shall rue this halt,* was my rejoinder. ' The 
city is at our mercy ; we can take it now, and should.' 

" Lieut-Colonel Baxter, then in command of the 
New York Volunteers, called out : 

" * For God's sake, Mayne Reid, obey orders, and 
halt the men.' 

" At this appeal I faced round to my followers, and 
shouted ' Halt ! ' The soldiers came up abreast of 
me, and one big North Irishman cried : 

" * Do you say halt ? ' 

" I set my sword towards them, and again shouted 
' Halt 1 ' This time I was obeyed, the soldiers crying 
out: 



CAPTAIN MAYNE REID 51 

« * Well halt for you, sir, but for nobody else* " 



From the above incident, it may well be inferred 
that Ma)me Reid possessed great influence over his 
men. And such was the fact ; his great courage on 
all occasions, and his genial nature, utter impartial- 
ity, and fine sense of justice endeared him to his 
followers. 

The following amusing incident, copied from the 
editorial columns of the New York Spirit of the 
Times^ of January 22, 1847, illustrates the last- 
mentioned trait of Mayne Reid : — 

" Lieutenant Mayne Reid, commanding Company 
B (the Grenadiers) of the New York Regiment, has 
in his company two German soldiers — one brave 
fellow^ who fought like a tiger during the whole of the 
bloody action at the hacienda of Los Portales ; while 
the other, a cowardly rascal, had stolen from the 
ranks on the morning of the engagement, and 
remained behind to plunder a Mexican hacienda. 

'' On the morning after the battle, as the lieutenant 
was visiting the quarters of his company, he observed 
these two soldiers in the act of making their toilet 
The former was vainly endeavouring to guide his feet 
through the mazes of a very dilapidated pair of 
pantaloons that had been literally shot off his legs 
during the action, while the latter was very com- 
placently admiring the set of an elegant pair of blue 
cassimeres which he had stolen on the previous night 



52 CAPTAIN MAYNE REID 

from some unfortunate Mexican gentleman, and 
which fitted him to a hair. 

''The lieutenant, acquainted with the previous 
conduct of both parties, called the latter, and ordered 
a 'swap' instanter. The process of undressing, 
swapping, and redressing drew around the spot a 
crowd of their comrades, who were so pleased with 
this instance of summary justice that a cheer rang 
round the walls of the hacienda, and one fellow, as 
he limped off on his wooden leg, declared that it was 
the best thing he had ' seed did ' during the whole 
campaign." 



CHAPTER VI 

Assault and Capture of Chapultepec — Severely Wounded — 
Tribute to his Former Lieutenant — Capture of the 
City of Mexico— -OfScial Mention — Promotion. 

Mayne Reid continues his narrative : — 

''Thus was the American army halted in its 
victorious career on the 20th of August. Another 
hour and it would have been in the streets of Mexico. 
The commander-in-chief, however, had other designs ; 
and with the bugle recall that summoned the dragoons 
to retire, all hostile operations ended for the time. 
The troops slept upon the field. 

" On the following day the four divisions of the 
American army separated for their respective head- 
quarters in different villages. Worth crossed over to 
Tacubaya, which became the headquarters of the army; 
Twiggs held the village of San Angel ; Pillow rested 
at Miscuac, a small Indian village between San Angel 
and Tacubaya, while the Volunteer and Marine 
division fell back on San Augustine. An armistice 
had been entered into between the commanders-in- 
chief of the two armies. 

" This armistice was intended to facilitate a treaty 
of peace; for it was thought that the Mexicans would 
accept any terms rather than see their ancient city at 
the mercy of a foreign army. No doubt, howtvet^ ^ 

S3 



54 CAPTAIN MAYNE REID 

great mistake was made, as the armistice gave the 
crafty Santa Anna a chance to fortify an inner line of 
defence, the key to which was the strong Castle of 
Chapultepec, which had to be taken three weeks later 
with the loss of many brave men. 

" The commissioners of both governments met at a 
small village near Tacubaya, and the American com- 
missioner demanded, as a necessary preliminary to 
peace, the cession of Upper and Lower California, 
all New Mexico, Texas, parts of Sonora, Coahuila, 
and Tamaulipas. Although this was in general a 
wild, unsettled tract of country, yet it constituted 
more than one-half the territory of Mexico, and the 
Mexican commissioners would not, even if they dared, 
agree to such a dismemberment 

" The armistice was therefore abortive, and on the 
6th of September the American commander-in-chief 
sent a formal notice to the enemy that it had ceased 
to exist. This elicited from Santa Anna an insulting 
reply, and on the same day the enemy was seen in 
great force to the left of Tacubaya, at a building 
called Molino del Rey, which was a large stone mill, 
with foundry, belonging to the Government, and 
where most of their cannon had been made. It is a 
building notorious in the annals of Mexican history 
as the place where the unfortunate Texan prisoners 
suffered the most cruel treatment from their bar- 
barous captors. It lies directly under the guns of 
Chapultepec, from which it is distant about a quarter 
of a mile, and it is separated from the hill of 
Chapultepec by a thick wood of almond trees. 

"On the afternoon of the 7th of September, 
Captain Mason, of the Engm^^ts, v^^s sent to recon- 



CAPTAIN MAYNE REID 55 

noitre the enemy's position. His right lay at a 
strong stone building, with bastions, at some distance 
from Molino del Rey, while his left rested on the 
works round the latter. 

^The building on the right is Casa Mata. It is 
presumed that this position of the enemy was taken 
to prevent our army from turning the Castle of 
Chapultepec, and entering the city by the Tacubaya 
Road and the gate San Cosme. All the other 
garitas — Piedas, Nino Perdido, San Antonio and 
Belen — ^were strongly fortified, and guarded by a 
large body of the enemy's troops. Having in all at 
this time about 30,000 men, they had no difficulty in 
placing a strong guard at every point of attack. 

" On the 7th, General Worth was ordered to attack 
and carry the enemy's lines at Molino del Rey. His 
attack was to be planned on the night of the 7th, and 
executed on the morning of the 8th. 

"On the night of the 7th, the ist Division, 
strengthened by a brigade of the 3rd, moved forward 
in front of the enemy. The dispositions made were 
as follows : — 

" It was discovered that the weakest point of the 
enemy's lines was at a place about midway between 
the Casa Mata and Molino del Rey. This point, 
however, was strengthened by a battery of several 
guns. 

" An assaulting party of 500 men, commanded by 
Major Wright, were detailed to attack the battery, 
after it had been cannonaded by Captain Huger 
with the battering guns. To the right of this assault- 
ing party Garland's brigade took position within 
supporting distance. 



56 CAPTAIN MAYNE REID 

"On our left, and to the enemy's right, Clark's 
brigade, commanded by Brevet-Colonel Mackintosh, 
with Duncan's battery, were posted ; while the 
supporting brigade from Pillow's division lay between 
the assaulting column and Clark's brigade. 

" At break of day the action commenced. Huger, 
with the 24th, opened on the enemy's centre. Every 
discharge told, and the enemy seemed to retire. No 
answer was made from his guns. Worth, becoming 
at length convinced — fatal conviction — that the 
works in the centre had been abandoned, ordered the 
assaulting column to advance. 

"These moved rapidly down the slope. Major 
Wright leading. When they had arrived within 
about half musket shot the enemy opened upon 
this gallant band the most dreadful fire it has ever 
been the fate of a soldier to sustain. Six pieces from 
the field battery played upon their ranks ; while the 
heavy guns from Chapultepec, and nearly six 
thousand muskets from the enemy's entrenchments, 
mowed them down in hundreds. The first discharge 
covered the ground with dead and dying. One half 
of the command at least fell with this terrible cataract 
of bullets ; the others, retiring for a moment, took 
shelter behind some magney, or, in fact, anything 
that would lend a momentary protection. 

" The Light Battalion and the nth Infantry now 
came to their relief, and springing forward amid the 
clouds of smoke and deadly fire, the enemy's works 
were soon in our possession. At the same time the 
right and left wing had become hotly engaged with 
the left and right of the enemy. Garland's brigade, 
with Duncan's battery, after driving out a large body 



CAPTAIN MAYNE REID 57 

of infantry, occupied the mills, while the command of 
Colonel Mackintosh attacked the Casa Mata. 

" This building proved to be a strong work, with 
deep ditches and entrenchments. The brigade moved 
rapidly forward to assault it, but on reaching the 
wide ditch the tremendous fire of muskets to which 
they were exposed, as well as the heavy guns from 
the Castle, obliged them to fall back upon their own 
battery. 

** Duncan now opened his batteries upon this build- 
ing, and with such effect that the enemy soon re- 
treated from it, leaving it unoccupied. 

" At this time the remaining brigade of Pillow's 
division, as well as that of Twiggs', came on the 
ground, but they were too late. The enemy had 
already fallen back, and Molino del Rey and the 
Casa Mata were in possession of the American troops. 
The latter was shortly after blown up, and all the 
implements in the foundry, with the cannon moulds, 
having been destroyed, our army was ordered to 
return to Tacubaya. 

" Thus ended one of the most bloody and fruitless 
engagements ever fought by the American army. 
Six hundred and fifty of our brave troops were either 
killed or wounded, while the loss of the enemy did 
not amount to more than half this number. 

" The fatal action at Molino del Rey cast a gloom 
over the whole army. Nothing had been gained. 
The victorious troops fell back to their former posi- 
tions, and the vanquished assumed a bolder front, 
celebrating the action as a victory. The Mexican 
commander gave out that the attack was intended 
for Chapultepec, and bad consequently failed, TYus^ 



58 CAPTAIN MAYNE RE ID 

among his soldiers, received credence and doubled 
their confidence ; we, on the other hand, called it a 
victory on our side. Another such victory, and the 
American army would never have left the Valley of 
Mexico. 

"On the night of the nth of September, at mid- 
night, two small parties of men were seen to go out 
from the village of Tacubaya, moving silently along 
different roads. One party directed itself along an 
old road toward Molino del Rey, and about half-way 
between the village and this latter point halted. 
The other moved a short distance along the direct 
road to Chapultepec and halted in like manner. 
They did not halt to sleep ; all night long these men 
were busy piling up earth, filling sand-bags, and 
laying the platforms of a gun battery. 

"When day broke, these batteries were finished, 
their guns in position, and, much to the astonishment 
of the Mexican troops, a merry fire was opened upon 
the Castle. This fire was soon answered, but with 
little effect By ten o'clock another battery from 
Molino del Rey, with some well-directed shots from 
a howitzer at the same point, seemed to annoy the 
garrison exceedingly. 

"A belt of woods lies between the Castle and 
Molino del Rey on the south. A stone wall sur- 
rounds these woods. Well-garrisoned, Chapultepec 
would be impregnable. The belief is that i,ooo 
Americans could hold it against all Mexico. They 
might starve them out, or choke them with thirst, 
but they could not drive them out of it There are 
but few fortresses in the world so strong in natural 
advantages. 



CAPTAIN MAYNE REID 59 

" During the whole of the 1 2th the shot from the 
American batteries kept playing upon the walls of 
the Castle, answered by the guns of the fortress, and 
an incessant fire of musketry was kept up by the 
skirmishing party in the woods of Molino del Rey. 
Towards evening the Castle began to assume a 
battered and beleaguered appearance. Shot and 
shell had made ruin on every point, and several of 
the enemy's guns were dismounted. 

** To enumerate the feats of artillerists on this day 
would fill a volume. A twenty-pound shot from a 
battery commanded by Captain Huger and Lieutenant 
Hagney entered the muzzle of one of the enemy's 
howitzers and burst the piece. It was not a chance 
shot This battery was placed on the old road 
between Tacubaya and Molino del Rey. The gate 
of the Castle fronts this way, and the Calzada, or 
winding road from the Castle to the foot of the hill, 
was exposed to the fire. As the ground lying to the 
north and east of Chapultepec was still in possession 
of the enemy, a constant intercourse was kept up 
with the Castle by this Calzada. 

"On the morning of the nth, however, when 
Huger's and Hagney's battery opened, the Calzada 
became a dangerous thoroughfare. The latter officer 
found that his shot thrown on the face of the road 
ricochetted upon the walls with terrible effect, and 
consequently most of his shots were aimed at this 
point It was amusing to see the Mexican officers, 
who wished to enter or go out of the Castle, wait 
until Hagney's guns were discharged, and then 
gallop over the Calzada as if the devil were after 
them. 



6o CAPTAIN MAYNE REID 

"A Mexican soldier at the principal gate was 
packing a mule with ordnance. ' Can you hit that 
fellow ? ' Hagney was asked. 

" ' ril try,' was the quiet and laconic reply. 

" The long gun was pointed and levelled. At this 
moment the soldier stooped by the side of the mule 
in the act of tightening the girth. 

'''Fire I' said Hagney, and almost simultaneous 
with the shot a cloud of dust rose over the causeway. 
When this cleared away the mule was seen running 
wild along the Calzada, while the soldier lay dead by 
the wall 

"On the day when Chapultepec was stormed, 
September 13, 1847, I was in command of the 
Grenadier Company of 2nd New York Volunteers, 
my own, and a detachment of United States Marines 
acting with us as light infantry, my orders being to 
stay by and guard the battery we had built on the 
south-eastern side of the Castle during the night of 
the nth. It was about a thousand yards from, and 
directly in front of, the Castle's main gate, through 
which our shots went crashing all the day. The 
first assault had been fixed for the morning of the 
13th, a storming party of 500 men, or 'forlorn hope,* 
as it was called, having volunteered for this dangerous 
duty. These were of all arms of the service, a 
captain of regular infantry having charge of them, 
with a lieutenant of Pennsylvanian Volunteers as 
his second in command. 

" At an early hour the three divisions of our army. 

Worth's, Pillow's, and Quitman's, closed in upon 

Chapultepec, our skirmishers driving the enemy's 

outposts before them ; some of these retreating up 



CAPTAIN MAYNE REID 6i 

the hni and into the Castle, others passing around 
it and on towards the city. 

••It was now expected that our storming party 
would do the work assigned to it, and for which it 
had volunteered. Standing by our battery, at this 
time necessarily silent, with the artillery and engineer 
officers who had charge of it, Captain Huger and 
Lieutenant Hagney, we three watched the advance 
of the attacking line, the puflfs of smoke from mus- 
ketry and rifles indicating the exact point to which 
it had reached. Anxiously we watched it I need 
not say nor add that our anxiety became apprehen- 
sion when we saw that about half-way up the slope 
there was a halt, something impeding its forward 
movement I knew that if Chapultepec was not 
taken neither would the city be, and failing this, not 
a man of us might ever leave the Valley of Mexico 
alive. 

"Worth's injudicious attempt upon the entrench- 
ments of Molino del Rey — to call it by no harsher 
name — our first retreat during the campaign, had 
greatly demoralised our men, while reversely affecting 
the Mexicans,. inspiring them with a courage they 
had never felt before. And there were thirty thou- 
sand of these to our 6,000 — five to one — to say 
nothing of a host of rancheros in the country around 
and Uperos in the city, all exasperated against us, the 
invaders. We had become aware, moreover, that 
Alvarez, with his spotted Indians {pintos), had swung 
round in our rear and held the mountain pass behind 
us, so that retreat upon Puebla would have been 
impossible. This was not my belief alone, but that 
of every intelligent officer \n the army ; the two viVio 



L 



63 CAPTAIN MAYNE REID ~ 

stood beside me feeling sure of it as myself. This 
certainty, combined with the slow progress of the 
attacking party, determined me to participate in the 
assault. As the senior engineer officer outranked 
me, it was necessary I should have his leave to 
forsake the battery, now needing no further defence, 
a leave freely and instantly given, with the words, 
' Go, and God be with you ! ' 

" The Mexican flag was still waving triumphantly 
over the Castle, and the line of smoke-puffs had not 
got an inch nearer it ; nor was there much change in 
the situation when, after a quick run across the 
intervening ground with my following of volunteers 
and marines, we came up with the storming party at 
halt, and irregularly aligned along the base of the hilL 
For what reason they were staying there we knew not 
at the time, but I afterwards heard it was some 
trouble about scaling ladders. I did not pause then 
to inquire, but, breaking through their line with my 
brave followers, pushed on up the slope. Near the 
summit I found a scattered crowd of soldiers, some 
of them in the grey uniform of the Voitigeur Regi- 
ment, others, gth, 14th, and 15th Infantry. They 
were the skirmishers, who had thus far cleared I 
way for us, and far ahead of the ' forlorn hope,' Bill 
beyond lay the real area of danger, a slightly slopin 
ground, some forty yards in width, between us i 
the Castle's outward wall — in short, the glacis. Id 
was commanded by three pieces of cannon on 1 
parapet, which swept it with grape and canister t 
fast as they could be loaded and fired. There seemed 
no chance to advance farther without meeting < 
taia death. But it would be death all the ; 



CAPTAIN MAYNE REID 63 

if we did not — such was my thought at that 
moment 

''Just as I reached this point there was a momentary 
halt, which made it possible to be heard ; and the 
words I then spoke, or rather shouted, are remembered 
by me as though it were but yesterday : 

** ' Men, if we don't take Chapultepec, the American 
army is lost ! Let us charge up to the walls.' 

" A voice answered : * We'll charge if anyone leads 
us.* 

•• Another adding : ' Yes, we're ready ! ' 

^'At that instant the three guns on the parapet 
belched forth their deadly showers almost simultane- 
ously. My heart bounded with joy at hearing them 
go off thus together. It was our opportunity, and, 
quickly comprehending it, I leaped over the scarp 
which had sheltered us, calling out : 

" * Come on ; I'll lead you 1 ' 

" It did not need looking back to know that I was 
followed. The men I had appealed to were not the 
men to stay behind, else they would not have been 
there, and all came after. 

" When about half-way across the open ground, I 
saw the parapet crowded with Mexican artillerists in 
uniforms of dark blue with crimson facings, each 
musket in hand, and all aiming, as I believed, at my 
own person. On account of a crimson silk sash I 
was wearing, they no doubt fancied me a general at 
least The volley was almost as one sound, and I 
avoided it by throwing myself flat along the earth, 
only getting touched on one of the fingers of my 
sword-hand, another shot passing through the loose 
cloth of my overalls. Instantly on my feet agaAtv^ \ 



64 CAPTAIN MAYNE REID 

made for the wall, which I was scaling when a bullet 
from an escopette went tearing through my thigh, 
and I fell into the ditch." 



Even as he lay wounded in the ditch, Mayne Reid 
painfully raised himself on one elbow, and was heard 
shouting to his men : 

" For God's sake, men, don't leave that wall ! " 

The second man up to the walls of the Castle was 
Corporal Haup, a Swiss, who fell, shot through the 
head, across the body of Mayne Reid, covering the 
latter with his blood. The poor fellow managed to 
roll himself off, saying at the same time, ^' I'm not 
hurt so badly as you." But he was dead long before 
his fallen leader was carried off the field. 

As stated by the historian, in referring to this 
memorable assault, " the national colours of the New 
York Regiment, the first on the fortress, were dis- 
played by Lieutenant Reid." ^ 

I It was Mayne Reid's lieutenant, HypoUte Dardon- 
ville, a brave young Frenchman, who scaled the walls 
and raised the first American flag that ever floated 
over this grand old Castle. Years afterwards, on the 
death of this gallant Frenchman, Mayne Reid thus 
closed a beautiful tribute to his memory : 

" Hypolite Dardonville ! if thy spirit live, and look 
back to what is passing on earth, it will hear one 

^ *' History of the War between the United States and 
Madco," Jcailanh 1S48, pp. Ai^% 4i7« 



CAPTAIN MAYNE RE ID 65 

voice speaking of thy valour, and know one heart that 
reveres thy virtue." ^ 



Mayne Reid concludes his account as follows : — 

" Only a few scattered shots were fired after this. 
The scaling ladders came up, and some scores of men 
went swarming over the parapet, and Chapultepec 
was taken.* 

"The contest was not yet over. The advantage 
must be followed up, and the city entered Worth's 
division, obliquing to the right, followed the enemy on 
the Tacubaya Road, and through the gate of San 
Cosme ; while the volunteers, with the rifle and one 
or two other regiments, detached from the division of 
General Twiggs, were led along the aqueduct 
towards the citadel and the gate of Belen. Inch by 
inch did these gallant fellows drive back their 
opponents ; and he who led them, the veteran Quit- 
man, was ever foremost in the fight 

" A very storm of bullets rained along this road, 
and hundreds of brave men fell to rise no more ; but 
when night closed, the gates of Belen and San Cosme 
were in possession of the Americans. 

" During the still hours of midnight the Mexican 

^ Onward Magazine^ 1870. 

^ Hanging midway up the stairway to the Senate gallery, at 
the National Capital, Washington, D.C., is a large and 
magnificent painting representing *' The Storming of Cha- 
pultepec," by James Walker. The artist was an American 
resident of the city of Mexico, and was present at the battle 
which he so graphically transferred to canvas. The painting 
was purchased at a cost of $6^ooa 



66 CAPTAIN MAYNE REID 

army, to the number of some 20,000, stole out of the 
city and took the road for Guadalupe. 

" Next morning at daybreak the remnant of the 
American army, in all less than 3,000 men, entered 
the city without further opposition, and formed up in 
the Grand Plaza. Ere sunrise the American star- 
spangled banner floated proudly over the Palace of 
Montezuma, and proclaimed that the city of the 
Aztecs was in possession of the Americans. 

"Chapultepec was in reality the key to the city. 
If the former was not captured, the latter in all 
probability would not have been taken at that time, 
or by that army. 

"The city of Mexico stands on a perfectly level 
plain, where water is reached by digging but a few 
inches below the surface ; this everywhere around its 
walls, and for miles on every side. 

" It does not seem to have occurred to military 
engineers that a position of this kind is the strongest 
in the world ; the most difficult to assault and easiest 
to defend. It only needs to clear the surrounding 
terrain of houses, trees, or aught that might give 
shelter to the besiegers, and obstruct the fire of the 
besieged. As in the wet ground trenching is im- 
possible, there is no other way of approach. Even a 
charge by cavalry going at full gallop must fail ; they 
would be decimated, or utterly destroyed, long before 
arriving at the entrenched line. 

"These were the exact conditions under which 
Mexico had to be assaulted by the American army. 
There were no houses outside the city walls, no 
cover of any kind, save rows of tall poplar trees lining 
the sides of the outgoing roads, and most of these had 



CAPTAIN MAYNE REID 67 

been cut down. How, then, was the place to be 
stormed, or rather approached within storming 
distance? 

"The eyes of some skilled American engineers 
rested upon the two aqueducts running from 
Chapultepec into the suburbs of the city. Their 
mason work, with its massive piers and open arches 
between, promised the necessary cover for skirmishers, 
to be supported by close following battalions. 

"And they did afford this very shelter, enabling 
the American army to capture the city of Mexico. 
But to get at the aqueducts, Chapultepec needed to be 
first taken, otherwise the besiegers would have had 
the enemy both in front and rear. Hence the 
desperate and determined struggle at the taking of the 
Castle, and the importance of its succeeding. Had it 
failed, I have no hesitation in giving my opinion that 
no American who fought that day in the Valley of 
Mexico would ever have left it alive. Scott's army 
was already weakened by the previous engagements, 
too much so, to hold itself three days on the defensive. 
Retreat would have been not disastrous, but 
absolutely impossible. The position was far worse 
than that of Lord Sale in the celebrated Cabool 
expedition. All the passes leading out of the valley 
by which the Americans might have attempted 
escape were closed by columns of cavalry. The 
Indian general, Alvarez, with his hosts of spotted 
horsemen, the Pintos of the Acapulco region, had 
occupied the main road by Rio Frio the moment 
after the Americans marched in. No wonder these 
fought on that day as for very life. Every intelligent 
soldier among them knew that in their attack u^ti 



68 CAPTAIN MAYNE REID 

Chapultepec there were but two alternatives : success 
and life, or defeat and death." 

• •••••• 

Mayne Reid and the detachment of brave men 

who followed him to the walls of the Castle received 

particular mention in the official despatches of the 

commander-in-chief and other officers; and ''upon 

good and sufficient recommendations" the gallant 

leader was promoted to a first lieutenancy. 

Extracts from two official despatches are subjoined. 

Major-General J. A. Quitman thus testifies, under 

date of September 29, 1874 * — 

" Two detachments from my command not hereto- 
fore mentioned in this report should be noticed. 
Captain Gallagher and Lieutenant Reid, who, with 
their companies of New York Volunteers, had been 
detailed on the morning of the 12th, by General 
Shields, to the support of our battery, No. 2, well 
performed the service. The former, by the orders of 
Captain Huger, was detained at that battery during 
the storming of Chapultepec. The latter, a brave and 
energetic young officer, being relieved from the 
battery on the advance to the Castle, hastened to the 
assault, and was among the first to ascend the crest 
of the hill, where he was severely wounded. . . . The 
gallant New York Regiment claims for their standard 
the honour of being the first waved from the battle- 
ments of Chapultepec" 

And the following, from Brigadier-General Shields, 
dated September 25 : — 



CAPTAIN MAYNE REID 69 

''The New York flag and Ca B of that lament, 
under command of a gallant young officer, Lieutenant 
Reid, were among the first to mount the ramparts of 
the Castle, and then display the stars and stripes to 
the admiration of the army." 

For further and more detailed testimony regarding 
the brave conduct of Mayne Reid in the Mexican 
war, see Chapter VI I L 



CHAPTER VII 

Languishes in a Hospital — Mourned as Dead — Recovery — 
Challenges an Officer to fight a Duel — Explores the 
Country — ** Sketches of a Skirmisher" continued — 
Extract of Letter to his Father. 

After the capture of Chapultepec, Mayne Reid was 
discovered lying in a ditch near the walls of the 
Castle. He was immediately transferred to the care 
of the army surgeons, and later, after the capture of 
the city of Mexico, occupied comfortable quarters in 
a hospital in that city. Here he was confined many 
long weeks. 

It was at first supposed that the injured leg would 
have to be amputated, but the surgeons finally decided 
that the patient could not survive the operation, 
as the bullet had only just escaped severing an 
important artery. 

It was reported in the United States that Lieu- 
tenant Reid had died of his wounds. This intelli- 
gence also reached his family in Ireland, who, with 
others, mourned his loss until the joyful contradiction 
arrived. It may prove interesting, as evidence of 

Mayne Reid's early reputation in the United States 

70 



CAPTAIN MAYNE RE ID 71 

and the esteem in which he was held, to give a few 
quotations from newspapers and other sources of the 
period The following is from the Newport, R-L, 
News : — 

"The Lamented Lieut. Reid. 

^ Lieutenant Reid has been in this country some 
five or six years, and during that time has been 
mostly connected with the press, either as an associate, 
editor, or correspondent; in this last capacity he 
passed the summer of 1846 in Newport, R.I., engs^ed 
in writing letters to the New York Herald under the 
signature of 'Ecolier/ It was at this time that we 
became acquainted with him, and there are many 
others in the community who will join us in bearing 
testimony to his worth as a man, all of whom will be 
grieved at the announcement of his death. He 
returned to New York about the first of September, 
and shortly after sailed for Mexico with his regiment. 
He was at the battle of Monterey, and distinguished 
himself in that bloody affair. We published a little 
poem from his pen, entitled * Monterey,' about three 
months ago, which will undoubtedly be remembered 
by our readers. Towards the close of the poem was 
this stanza : 

" • We were not many — we who pressed 
Beside the brave who fell that day ; 
But who of us has not confessed 
He'd rather share their warrior rest, 
Than not have been at Monterey?' 

•* Alas for human glory ! The departed ^xo\»3ckVj 



72 CAPTAIN MAYNE REID 

little thought at the time he penned the above lines 
that he would be sharing 'their warrior rest' At 
the storming of Chapultepec he was severely wounded, 
and died soon after from his wounds. He was a 
man of singular talents, and gave much promise as a 
writer. His temperament was exceedingly nervous, 
and his fancy brilliant His best productions may 
be found in Godej^s Book^ about three or four years 
ago, under the signature of *Poor Scholar.' It is 
mournful that talents like his should be so early 
sacrificed, and that his career should be so soon 
closed, far — ^very far — from the land of his birth and 
the bosom of his home, as well as the land of his 
adoption. But thus it is ! . . ." 

The poem referred to above, which first appeared 
in Godeys Magazine^ is given in full below : — 

•* Monterey. 

** We were not many — we who stood 

Before the iron sleet that day — 
Yet many a gallant spirit would 
Give half his years if he but could 

Have been with us at Monterey. 

" Now here, now there, the shot it hailed 
In deadly drifts of fiery spray, 
Yet not a single soldier quailed 
When wounded comrades round them wailed 
Their dying shouts at Monterey. 

** And on — still on our columns kept, 

Through walls of flame, its withering way ; 
Where fell the dead, the living stept. 
Still charging on the guns which swept 
The slippery streets of Monterey. 



CAPTAIN MAYNE RE ID 73 

** The foe himself recoiled aghast. 

When, striking where he strongest lay, 
We swooped his flanking batteries past, 
And, braving full their murderous blast. 
Stormed home the towers of Monterey. 

" Our banners on those turrets wave, 
And there our evening bugles play; 
Where orange boughs above their grave 
Keep green the memory of the brave 
Who fought and fell at Monterey. 

'' We were not many — we who pressed 
Beside the brave who fell that day ; 
But who of us has not confessed 
He'd rather share their warrior rest, 
Than not have been at Monterey ?" 

At a public dinner given in the city of Columbus, 
Ohio, to celebrate the capture of Mexico, Lieutenant 
Mayne Reid's memory was toasted, and the following 
dirge, written by a young poetess, was recited with 
great effect : — 



" Gone — gone — gone ! 

Gone to his dreamless sleep I 
And spirits of the brave, 
Watching o'er his lone grave, 

Weep— weep— weep I 

..... 

" Mourn — mourn — mourn I 
Mother, to sorrow long wed 1 
Far o'er the mighty deep. 
Where the brave coldly sleep, 
Thy warrior son lies dead. 



74 CAPTAIN MAYNE RE ID 

" Lone — ^lone — lone I 
In thine own hx island home I 
Ere thy life's task is done» 
Oft with the setting son, 
Cer the sea thy thoughts will roam. 
• • • • • 

« Somid— soond— soond 
The trmnpet, while thousands die t 
Madly forcing his way. 
Through the blood-dashing spray, 
He beareth our banner on high ! 

*' Woe — woe — woe I 
Like a thought he has sunk to rest : 

Slow they bear him away, 

In stem martial array, 
The flag and the sword on his breast 

" High— high— high I 
High in the temple of fame 1 
The poet's fiaideless wreath, 
And the soldier's sheath. 
Are engraven above his name. 

"Long — long — long I 
As time to the earth shall belong ! 
The sad wind o'er the surge 
Shall chant its low dirge 
To this peerless child of song. 

" Gone — ^gone — gone ! 

Gone to his dreamless sleep ! 
And spirits of the brave, 
Watching o'er his lone grave. 

Weep — weep — weep ! " 



The author of the above lines was personally 
unacquainted with Mayne Reid, having heard of him 



CAPTAIN MAYNE REID 



only through mutual friends and the newspapers. 

It is not given to every man to read obituary 
notices of himself, but this happened to Mayne Reid 
more than once during his life. So marvellous, 
indeed, were his recoveries from the brink of death, 
that his friends regarded him as bearing a " charmed 
life." 

Two or three weeks after the announcement of his 
death, the New York Herald published the following 
contradiction of the report : — 

" Through misinformation, it was currently reported ' 
that Lieutenant Mayne Reid, whose gallant behaviour 
at the battle of Chapultepec called forth a merited 
compliment from General Scott in one of his late 
despatches, had died of his wounds. We are 
informed by one of our returned officers that although 
severely wounded by an escopette ball in the left leg 
above the knee, he has since recovered, and intends 
to remain. Of course he will be promoted." 

The New York Spirit of the Times, of December 
1 1, 1847, contained the following : — 

" Lieutenant Mayne Reid, of the New York Regi- 
ment, who was severely wounded in the attack on 
Chapultepec, and subsequently reported dead, writes 
us under date of October 28, from the city of 
Mexico, that though *a bullet, about as large as a 
pigeon's egg (from an escopette), passed through the 
thick part of his thigh, playing the very deuce with it, 
yet that be is considered out of danger. He is sUW QSVi 



I 

nary ^p 



I 



76 CAPTAIN MAYNE REID 

his back, though. Last week we published an 
obituary notice of this fine young officer, who has 
long been a favourite correspondent of this paper. 
We heartily congratulate him on his escape." 



The National Gazette^ of Philadelphia, after 
ferring to the wounds received by Mayne Reid, said : 

'*For several years he resided in Philadelphia. 
While in this city he won for himself many friends, 
as well as a high literary reputation." 

In March, 1848, the Pittsburg Daily Dispatch con- 
tained the following interesting bit of gossip : — 

"Lieutenant Mayne Reid, whose death was re- 
ported some time since, is about to be married to 
Signorina Gaudaloupe Rozas, a beautiful lady, 
daughter of Senator Rozas, and said to be the 
wealthiest heiress in the Valley of Mexico." 

This rumour also reached Mayne Reid's old home. 
But it was equally untrue, as that of his death. He 
had not yet " met his fate." 

On hearing the report of the death of Lieutenant 
Reid, his old friend, Mr. A. L. Piatt, of Ohio, 
addressed the following letter to the army surgeon : — 

" Mac-0-Chee, 1847. 

*' Dear Sir, — I address you with pain and regret 
on account of the late intelligence brought us by the 



CAPTAIN MAYNE REID 77 

papers of the severe wound received by Lieut Reid, 
and his death. Whilst we look with pride upon the 
many gallant deeds he performed, it but poorly 
remunerates us for so severe a loss. And we should 
receive with sad but infinite pleasure any further 
account of him whilst wounded. It is with regret 
that we call upon you to give us this sad intelligence, 
as it may inconvenience you, but the deep interest 
we felt for Mr. Reid has tempted us to trouble you 
with these inquiries, and remain yours respectfully, 

" A. L. Piatt." 

At last, under skilful treatment, Mayne Reid 
recovered from the ugly wound he had received. 
Shortly after his return to health, he was on the eve 
of engaging in another battle — a duel this time ; 
but the challenged one, through a friend, sent 
the following note, which smoothed matters over, 
and prevented an encounter : — 

•'City of Mexico, Z?^^. i8, 1847. 
" Captain Mayne Reid, 

" Sir, — Captain M'Kinstry has received your note 
of yesterday, and has requested me, as his friend, to 
inform you that he has not made any remarks 
reflecting upon you as a gentleman and a man of 
honour. 

" Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

"John B. Grayson, Capt. 165 A." 



78 CAPTAIN MAYNE REID 

Mayne Reid remained in Mexico several months 
after his discharge from the hospital, during which 
time he made a careful study of the country and its 
people. It is needless to say that its fauna and flora 
also received much attention. The knowledge thus 
gained was afterwards used in his " Rifle Rangers " 
and other romances. 

While convalescing, he continued his " Sketches by 
a Skirmisher," commenced while he was stationed at 
Vera Cruz, as before mentioned, and published in the 
New York Spirit of the Times. In the issue of that 
journal for Dec. ii, 1847, a long article was 
devoted to "The Action of Molino del Rey," and 
**The Storming of Chapultepec." In the following 
issue, " The Battle of Churubusco," the " Great Battle 
of Mexico," and the " Taking of Contreras," were 
discussed at length, over the signature " Ecolier." 
Other articles were contributed to the New York 
Herald ^XiA the Newport, R.I., News, 

The gallant Captain was equally distinguished in 
love and in war, and by some fair Mexicans he was 
called '* Don Juan Tenorio," a character which appears 
in one of their most famous plays. An American 
journalist described the gallant officer as a " mixture 
of Adonis and the Apollo Belvidere, with a dash of 
the Centaur I " 

It was one of Mayne Rpid's duties in Mexico to 
protect the inmates of a convent, and the nuns 
frequently sent him little delicacies in the shape of 



CAPTAIN MAYNE REID 79 

sweetmeats, made by their own fair hands, with his 
initials in comfits on the top. 

It is quite possible that more than one black-eyed 
senorita watched the final departure of this hero from 
Mexico with regret and tears. 

Meanwhile, save for scattered newspaper reports, 
Mayne Reid's parents and friends in his far-off island 
home had heard nothing from him for some years, 
when the father received the following letter, the 
latter part of which has unfortunately been torn and 
lost : — 

" U.S. Army, City of Mexico, 
"^Jan. 20, 1848. 

" Can I expect that my silence for several years will 
be pardoned? When I last wrote you, I made a 
determination that our correspondence, on my side at 
least, should cease until I had made myself worthy of 
continuing that correspondence. Since then circum- 
stances have enabled me to take rank among men — 
to prove myself not unworthy of that gentle blood 
from which I am sprung. Oh, how my heart beats 
at the renewal of those tender ties — paternal, fraternal, 
filial affection ; those golden chains of the heart so 
long, so sadly broken. 

" If I mistake not, my last letter to you was written 
in the city of Pittsburg. I was then on my way 
from the West to the cities of the Atlantic. Shortly 
after, I reached Philadelphia, where for a while my 
wild wanderings ceased. In this city I devoted 



8o 



CAPTAIN MAYNE REID 



myself to literature, and for a period of two or three 
years earned a scanty but honourable subsistence 
with my pen. My genius, unfortunately for my 
purse, was not of that marketable class which 
prostitutes itself to the low literature of the day. My 
love for tame literature enabled me to remain poor 
— aye, even obscure, if you will — though I have the 
consolation of knowing that there are understandings, 
and those, too, of a high order, who believe that my 
capabilities in this field are not surpassed, if equalled, 
by any writer on this continent. This is the under- 
current of feeling regarding me in the United States ; 
the current, I am happy to say, that runs in the 
minds of the educated and intelligent. Perhaps in 
some future day this undercurrent may break through 
the surface, and shine the brighter for having been so 
long concealed. 

" But I have now neither time nor space for theories. 
Facts will please you better, my dear father and best 
friend. During my trials as a writer, my almost 
anonymous productions occasionally called forth 
warm eulogies from the press. A little gold rubbed 
into the palm of an editor would have made them 
wonders! During this time I made many friends, 
but none of thai class who were able and willing to 
lift me from the sink of poverty. 

" There are no Miecenases in the United States. I 
found none to forge golden wings for me, that 1 
might fly to the heights of Parnassus, During this 
probation, I frequently sent you papers and 
magazines containing my productions, generally, I 
believe, under the nom-dt-piunu of "The Poor] 
Scholar.' Have these missiles ever reached yool 



CAPTAIN MAYNE RE ID 



8i 



As I have said, for three or four years I struggled on 
through this life of literature, and amid the 
charlatanism and quackery of the age I found I must 
descend to the everyday nothings of the daily press. 
I edited, corresponded, became disgusted. The war 
broke out with Mexico. I flung down the pen and 
took up the sword. I entered the r^ment of New 
York Volunteers as a 2nd lieutenant, and sailing — ** 



The letter was torn here, and the remaining portion 
had possibly been consumed by the peat fire in 
Mayne Reid's own home. 



CHAPTER VIII 

Retires from the Army with the Rank of Captain — 
Returns to the United States — Resides at Newport 
and Philadelphia — Accompanies Donn Piatt to Ohio — 
Donn Piatt's Recollections of Mayne Reid — Goes to 
New York City — "Who was First at Chapultepec ? " — 
Statement of Mayne Reid — Testimony of Army 
Officers — Letter to the Cincinnati CommerciaL 

The evacuation of Mexico was ordered in May, 1848, 
and in the same month Mayne Reid resigned from 
the army, retiring with the rank of captain. Not 
long afterwards he left Mexico for the United States, 
stopping a few days at New Orleans en route. 

The summer and autumn of that year were spent 
mainly at Newport, R.I., and Philadelphia, during 
which time he wrote for various journals. At the 
former place he met his friend Donn Piatt, who in- 
vited him to pass the winter at his home, near 
Mac-o-Chee, Ohio, whither the two men went in the 
latter part of the year. On the arrival of the hero at 
Newport, Mayne Reid was thus described : — 



"We omitted yesterday to notice the arrival in 

^2 



CAPTAIN MAYNE REID 83 

our midst of this chlvalric young soldier, fresh from 
the field of glory in Mexico. He had been reported 
killed once or twice, and also wedded to a Mexican 
heiress. He looks, however, as {{neither of these evils 
had approached him, and a finer or more gallant 
figure and countenance are not to be seen any day in 
our streets." 



The following extract from an article entitled 
** Memories of Eminent Authors," by Donn Piatt, is 
of interest at this point : — 



** Mayne Reid wrote his first romance at my house, 
where he spent a winter. He had come out of the 
Mexican War decorated with an ugly wound, and 
covered with glory as the bravest of the brave in our 
little army under Scott 

''When not making love to the fair girls of the 
Mac-o-Chee, or dashing over the country on my mare, 
he was writing a romance with the scene in Mexico 
and on our Mexican border. He would read chapters 
to us of an evening (he was a fine reader), and if the 
commendation did not come up to his self-apprecia- 
tion he would go to bed in a huff, and, not touching 
pen to paper for days, would make my mare suffer in 
his wild rides. I found that to save bay Jenny I 
must praise his work, and he came to r^ard me in 
time as Byron did Gifford When told that that ugly 
critic had pronounced ' me lord ' the greatest of living 
poets, Byron said that he was 'a damned dis- 
criminating fellow.' 



84 CAPTAIN MAYNE REID 

••That romance (*The Rifle Rangers') proved a 
great success. Again, like Byron, he put on his well- 
worn gown, one morning, and woke to fame and 
and fortune. 

'* The first remittance for literary work took the rest- 
less soldier of fortune from us, never to return. He 
would not have been content to remain as long as he 
did, but for the fact that he was desperately in love with 
a fair inmate of our house. But in her big blue eyes 
the gallant Irishman did not find favour, and he at 
last gave up the pursuit 

'' From the station where he awaited his train he 
wrote us two letters. One of these I never saw. The 
other contained the following lines, which, without 
possessing any remarkable poetic merit, gracefully 
put on record his kind feelings on parting from the 
house he had made his home for nearly a year : — 

*' ' Fade from my sight the valley deep, 

The brown old mossy mill, 
The willows, where the wild birds keep 

Song-watch beside the rill ; 
The cottage, with its rustic porch. 

Where the latest flower blooms. 
And autumn, with her flaming torch, 

The dying year illumes. 

'' * Within mine ears the sad farewell 

In music lingers yet, 
And casts upon my soul a spell 

That bids it not forget ; 
Forget, dear friends, I never may, 

While yet there lives a strain, 
A flower, a thought, a favoured lay 

To call you back again. 



CAPTAIN MAYNE RE ID 85 

'''When evening comes you fondly meet 

About the firelit hearth, 
And hours fly by on wingM feet. 

In music and in mirth ; 
Ah 1 give a thought to one whose fate 

On thorny pathway lies, 
Who lingered fondly near the gate 

That hid his paradise. 

" ' I hear, along the ringing rails, 

My fete, that comes apace, 
A moment more and strife prevails, 

Where once were peace and rest ; 
Unrest begins, my fUrlough ends. 

The world breaks on my view, 
Ah ! peaceful scene ; ah 1 loving friends, 

A sad and last adieu.' 

"Between that parting and our next encounter 
some twenty years intervened. Mayne Reid had 
made his fame and fortune, throwing away the latter 
upon a Mexican ranche in England, and I, yet floating 
about on spars, had just begun to use my pen as a 
means of support He was grey, stout and rosy, living 
with his handsome little wife in rooms at Union 
Square, New York. I told him that the old home- 
stead upon the Mac-o-Chee had fallen into decay, and 
of the little family circle he so fondly remembered I 
alone remained. That made him so sad that I 
proposed a bottle of wine to alleviate our sorrow, and 
he led the way to a subterranean excavation in 
Broadway, where we had not only the bottle, but a 
dinner and several bottles." 

• •••••• 

Mayne Reid returned to the east in the spring of 
184S). On his arrival in Hew York City, the queslt^oxv 



>6 CAPTAIN MAYNE REii^ 

* Who was first at Chapultepec ? " was being discussed 
by army officers and others, in the newspapers and 
elsewhere. Mayne Reid at once became an interested 
participant in the discussion, as indicated by the 
following extract from a letter written by him several 
years later, and the documents which accompanied 
it:— 

" These documents were hastily collected in New 
York in the spring of 1849, when I heard of other in- 
dividuals claiming to have been first into Chapultepec. 
I do not claim to have been first over the walls, as I 
did not get over the wall at all, but was shot down in 
front of it ; but I claim to have led up the men who 
received the last volley of the enem)r's fire, and thus 
left the scaling of the wall a mere matter of climbing, 
as scarcely anyone was shot afterwards. 

''While collecting this testimony, I was suddenly 
called upon to take the leadership of a l^on 
organised in New. York to assist the revolutionary 
struggle in Europe, and I sailed at the latter end of 
June, 1849. Otherwise I could have obtained far more 
testimony than is contained in these scant documents 
here. 

"Mayne Reid. 

" P.S. — General Pillow was at the time using every 
exertion to disprove my claims, it being a life-and- 
death matter with him, having an eye to the Presi- 
dency, to prove that the men in his division were the 
first to enter Chapultepec." 

"^he testimony refened to above (which Mayne 



I 



CAPTAIN MAYNE REID 87 

Reid says was generously given, as only one of these 
officers was my personal friend, the others being 
almost unknown to me) is as follows : — 

Testimony of Lieutenant Cochrane, 2nd 

Regiment Voltigeurs. 

" On the morning of the 13th of September, 1847, 
the r^ment of Voltigeurs, to which I was attached as 
subaltern officer, was ordered to clear the woods and 
the western side of the wall, extending from Molino 
del Rey to the Castle of Chapultepec, of the Mexican 
Infantry (light), and to halt at the foot of the hill, in 
order to allow the storming party of Worth's division 
to scale the hill. 

" We drove the Mexicans as ordered, but in so 
rapid a manner that, along with some of the infantry 
of the 14th, isth, and 9th of Pillow's division, we 
kept driving the enemy under a heavy fire from 
the Castle, and a redan on the side of the hill, clear 
into their works, the storming party coming up 
rapidly. 

" After driving from the redan, I pushed for the 
south-western comer of the Castle with all the men 
about me, and scarcely ten yards from the wall an 
officer of infantry, and either an officer or sergeant of 
artillery — ^judging from the stripe on his^ pants — were 
shot, and fell. They were the only two at the time 
that I saw in advance of me along the narrow path, 
over the rock of which we were scrambling. On 
collecting under the wall of the Castle, there were 
some thirty or forty of us infantry and Voltigeurs at 



88 CAPTAIN MAYNE REID 

the extreme corner of the Castle, and several other 
officers were there at the same point. The main 
body had halted at the scarp of the hill, some forty 
yards from the wall, awaiting the arrival of the 
scaling ladders before making the final and decisive 
assault 

" I ordered two men of the Voltigeurs to go back 
a little way and assist the ladders up the hill. As 
they proceeded to do so they passed the point where 
the infantry officer above alluded to lay wounded, 
who, with evident pain, raised himself and sang out 
above the din and rattle of musketry : 

" '. For God's sake, men, don't leave that wall, or we 
shall all be cut to pieces. Hold on, and the Castle is 
ours I ' or words to that effect 

"I immediately answered from the wall: 'There 
is no danger. Captain, of our leaving this. Never 
feart' or words to that amount. Shortly after, the 
ladders came, the rush was made, and the Castle 
fell. 

" In the course of a casual conversation about the 
events of that memorable morning, while in the city 
of Mexico, this incident was mentioned, and the 
officer who was wounded proved to be Lieutenant 
Mayne Reid, of the New York Volunteers, who had 
been ordered to guard the battering guns upon the 
plain, and had joined the party in the assault on 
Molino del Rey side of the Castle. 

" I spoke freely of this matter, and was quil 
solicitous to become acquainted, while in Mexico, 
with the gallant and chivalric officer in question, 
This is a hasty and imperfect sketch of this trans- 
1 heard that Lieutenant Reid had made- 



the 

1 



CAPTAIN MAYNE REID 89 

speech to the men of all arms, which had induced 
them to ascend ; but as a party were fiercely eng^ed 
at the redan for a few seconds, I could not have heard 
his remarks above the din, as I was one of the redan 
party. It may be possible that the above speech is 
the one allud^ to, though from what I heard said of 
it, he must have made other remarks at an earlier 
moment. 

** Of course, I have not given the exact words, as 
some eighteen months have elapsed since that never- 
to-be-foi^otten day, but I have given the /act and the 
substance of the words, which shows far more — the 
/acff I mean — credit and honour to his coun^e and 
his gallant conduct than the mere words could. 

"Theo. D. Cochrane, 
" Late Second Lieut, Regt Voltigeurs. 

" Columbia, Pa., May 20, 1849." 

Testimony of Charles Peternell, Captain 
OF Fifteenth Infantry. 

" Cleveland, Ohio, June, 1849. 

••Captain Mayne Reid, 

" Dear Sir, — I will testify to what I have seen of 
your military bravery and valour at Chapultepec — the 
only place where I have personally observed your 
gallant conduct 

"When our regiment — Fifteenth Infantry — had 
charged through the trees on the foot 'of the 
Chapultepec Hill, and after our skirmishers had 
taken the first redan, and chased the Mexicans omX 



90 CAPTAIN MAYNE REID 

of it, I saw a young officer on my right hand side 
collecting about forty men of different corps, and 
encouraging the same with an address, which the 
roaring of the cannon and the musketry hindered me 
from understanding. Shortly after, I saw the little 
band of heroes, with their brave leader in front, chai^ 
the right side battery, where a howitzer was posted ; 
and they tried very hard to climb the mud walls, 
which were about twenty feet high. Soon after I 
perceived through the dense smoke caused by the 
last discharge of the battery towards the small com- 
mand that the officer had scaled the wall and fell — 
what I then took for dead. 

'* All this was done in half the time I take to write 
it, and I was too much occupied with the command 
of my own detachment to enter into more particulars 
of that deciding moment. My earnest admiration 
was paid to the dead hero ; and onward we went to 
the left corner of the fortification. How we entered 
the Castle, and what great excitement prevailed in 
the first half hour of that glorious victory is too well 
known for further description. But one thing I must 
add : that my first inquiry after the abating of the 
excitement was, ' Who was that young officer leading 
the charge on our right ? * and one of my men gave 
me the answer: * It is a New Yorker by the name of 
Mayne Reid, a hell of a fellow.* 

" That name I had heard several times before very 
favourably mentioned, without being personally 
acquainted with the man ; and just as I was going 
to see if he was really dead, or wounded. General 
Cadwallader addressed the troops from the window 
of the Castle, and gave orders to rally the different 



CAPTAIN MAYNE REID 91 

companies and be prepared for further orders. I had 
to stay with my company, of course, and could not 
satisfy my great desire to ascertain the fate of that 
brave young man. 

'* One thing more I wish to say, namely, that this 
same brave conduct of yours helped on the left a g^eat 
deal, because it turned the fire of the infantry in our 
front, and gave us time to storm the walls at the right 
moment 

" Yours most respectfully, 

"Charles Peternell, 

" Captain, Fifteenth Infantry." 

The following statement was made, under affidavit, 
by Lieutenant Edward C. Marshall, of the 15th 
Infantry, and forwarded to Donn Piatt : — 

" I was in command of our company ordered to 
the attack of Chapultepec (Captain King being 
indisposed), and had approached, under cover of 
trees and rocks, to the brow of the hill upon which 
the Castle stands, where we halted to await the com- 
ing of the ladders. At this point the fire from the 
Castle was so continuous and fatal that the men 
faltered, and several officers were wounded while 
urging them on. At this moment I noticed Lieutenant 
Reid, of the New York Volunteers. I noticed him 
more particularly at the time on account of the very 
brilliant uniform he wore. 

" He suddenly jumped to his feet, calling upon 
those around to follow, and without looking back 
to see whether he was sustained or not, pushed on 
almost alone to the very walls, where he M\ ^odAV^ 



92 CAPTAIN MAYNE REID 

wounded ; all the officers who saw or knew of the 
act pronounced it, without exception, the bravest and 
most brilliant achievement performed by a single 
individual during the campaign, and at the time we 
determined, should occasion ever require it, to do 
him justice. I am satisfied that his daring was the 
cause of our taking the Castle as we did Nor was it 
an act of blind courage, but one of cool self-possession 
in the midst of imminent danger. Lieutenant Reid 
had observed from the sound that the Castle was 
poorly supplied with side guns, and knew that, 
could he once get his men to charge up to the walls, 
they would be upon almost equal footing with the 
defenders. What makes this achievement more re- 
markable, Lieutenant Reid was not ordered to attack, 
but volunteered." 

Letters to the same effect were also received from 
Captain J. D. Sutherland, of the United States 
Marines, and Captain D. Upham, of the United 
States Infantry. 

This testimony clearly established the gallant 
conduct of Mayne Reid, and entitled him to the 
credit of being first to reach the walls of Chapultepec 
in the midst of the enemy's leaden rain. His bravery 
was all the more praiseworthy in view of his having 
asked permission of a superior officer to make the 
assault. 

Another gallant act of Mayne Reid's was jealously 
questioned while he was in New York in June, 1849. 
As the reader already knows, the last charge by 



CAPTAIN MAYNE REID 93 

American infantry at the battle of Churubusco, was 
made by the Grenadier Company of New York 
Volunteers, under the leadership of Ma)me Reid. 
This was denied by an officer of the Palmetto 
Raiment, South Carolina, who evidently had a desire 
to appropriate the honour for his own raiment 

Soon after the denial, and on the eve of his depar- 
ture from America, Mayne Reid secured the sworn 
affidavits of five members of the New York Volun- 
teers, whose testimony proved that the honour of 
leading the last charge at the above-mentioned battle, 
in which the enemy were completely routed, was due 
to Ma)me Reid. These documents, accompanied by 
a letter of explanation from Ma)me Reid, were 
published in the New York Herald, June 28, 1849. 
The following is an extract from the letter : — 

*M part for a while from the land I have so 
strangely loved — from the land I still love. I leave it 
with a thousand regrets. But a just cause tempts 
me, and I would be proud to see once more the 
blades of the brave Palmettoes glisten beside me in 
the fight for freedom, confident that there all jealousy 
would end, as when many of their number rushed 
out and grasped my hand after the final charge at 
Churubusco." 



Before the readers of the Herald saw the letter 
the writer was speeding across the ocean otv %xi 



94 



CAPTAIN MAYNE REID 



errand of which the reader will learn in the following 
chapter. Nineteen years elapsed before Mayne RcidH 
again set foot in the United States. ■ 



We close this chapter with an interesting letter 
written by Mayne Reid, in reply to an article by a 
Washington correspondent of the Cincinnati Com- 
mercial, which had appeared in the issue of October 
22, 1882. The reply was dated, "Ross, Hereford- 
shire, England, December i, 1882," and was pul 
Ushed in the same paper on the 22nd of the lal 
month. 



Mayne Reid says : — 



" Sir, — My attention has been called to a letter 
which lately appeared in some American newspapers, 
headed, ' Mayne Reid's Mexican War Experiences,' 
in which certain statements are made gravely affect- 
ing my character and reputation. The writer says 
that in Puebla, Mexico, ' Lieutenant Reid, while re- 
proving one of the men of his company, became very 
much heated, and ran his sword through the man^J 
body. The man died the same night' I 

" Now, sir, it is quite true that 1 ran a soldier 
through with my sword, who soon after died of the 
wound ; but it is absolutely untrue that there was 
any heat of temper on my part, or other incentive to 
act, save that of self-defence and the discharge of aiy 

' The London correspondent of the Ohio SlaU Journal for- 
warded a copy of the letter to his paper, in which it also 
appeared. 



1 



CAPTAIN MAYNE REID 95 

duty as an officer. On the day of the occurrence I 
was officer of the guard, and the man a prisoner in 
the guard prison — ^where, indeed, he spent most of 
his time — for he was a noted desperado, and, I may 
add, robber, long the pest and terror not only of his 
comrades in the raiment, but the poor Mexican 
people, who suffered from his depredations, as all who 
were then there and are still living may remember. 

"Having several times escaped from the guard- 
house prison, he had that day been recaptured, and I 
entered the cell to see to his being better secured. 
While the manacles were being placed upon his 
wrists — long-linked heavy irons — he clutched hold of 
them, and, rushing at me, aimed a blow at my head, 
which, but for my being too quick for him, would, 
if they had struck me, caused serious if not fatal effect 
He was a man of immense size and strength, and, as 
all knew, regardless of consequences. He had been 
often heard to boast that no officer dare put him in 
irons, and threaten those who in the line of their duty 
had to act toward him with severity. Still, when I 
thrust out, it was with no intention to kill, only to 
keep him off; and in point of fact, in his mad rush 
toward me he impaled himself on my sword. 

" The writer of the letter goes on to say : * Lieu- 
tenant Reid's grief was uncontrollable. The feeling 
against him, despite the fact that he had provocation 
for the act, was very strong in the regiment ... If 
the regiment had not moved with the rest of the 
army toward Mexico the next day. Lieutenant Reid 
would have been court-martialed, and might have 
been shot' 

"* In answer to these serious allegations, not made 



96 CAPTAIN MAYNE REID 

in any malice, I believe, but from misinformation, I 
have only to say that I was tried by court-martial, 
and instead of being sentenced to be shot, was 
ordered to resume command of my company for the 
forward march upon Mexico. And so far from the 
feeling being strong against me in the regiment, it 
was just the reverse, not only in the regiment, but 
throughout the whole army — the lamented Phil 
Kearney, commanding the dragoons, with many 
other officers of high rank, publicly declaring that for 
what I had done, instead of condemnation I deserved 
a vote of thanks. This because the army's discipiine 
had become greatly relaxed during the long period of 
inaction that preceded our advance into the Valley of 
Mexico, and we bad much trouble with the men, 
especially of the volunteer regiments. My act, 
involuntary and unintentional though it was, did 
something toward bringing them back to a sense of 
obedience and duty. That I sorrowed for it is true, 
but not in the sense attributed to me by the news- 
paper correspondent. My grief was from the neces- 
sity that forced it upon me, and its lamentable result 
It is some satisfaction to know that the unfortunate 
man himself held me blameless, and in his dying 
words, as I was told, said I had but done my duty. 
So I trust that this explanation will place the affair 
in a different light from that thrown upon it by the 
article alluded to." 



CHAPTER IX 

Helps to organise a L^on in New York to aid the 
European Revolutionists — Sails for Europe — Failure 
of the Bavarian Insurrection — ^Visits his Native Home — 
Returns to London and prepares to aid Kossuth — 
Sheaths his Sword and takes up the Pen. 

During the fore part of the year 1849, numerous 
mass meetings were held in New York City, as else- 
where, for the purpose of sympathising with the 
revolutionary movement then disturbing Europe. 
Mayne Reid was an interested participator at many 
of these demonstrations, and at once made up his 
mind to aid the revolutionists with all his power. 

An opportunity soon presented itself, and Mayne 
Reid was called upon to take the leadership of a 
legion organised in New York for the purpose of 
aiding the European revolutionists in Bavaria and 
Hungary. 

On the 27th of June, 1849, Mayne Reid and the 
German patriot, Frederick Hecker, with others, sailed 
from New York in the Royal Mail steamship 
Cambria^ Captain Shannon, for Liverpool, on their 
praiseworthy errand. The men compositv^ \ikfc 

97 ^ 



98 CAPTAIN MAYNE REID 

l^on raised in New York were to follow in another 
steamship. 

At the time that Mayne Reid decided to go to the 
aid of Louis Kossuth, the California gold excitement 
was at its height Nearly everyone had the " fever," 
and thousands were daily leaving New York and 
other Atlantic cities for the land of gold. 

The strength of this excitement and the resulting 
emigration is recalled by the fact that during the first 
three months of the year (1849) no vessels sailed 
from the port of New York alone, bound for Cali- 
fornia. As many as six departed in one day. A 
total of over 14,000 vessels left the Atlantic sea-ports 
for the same destination, from December 14, 1848, to 
April 15, 1849. Nearly all carried passengers. 

The adventurous spirit of Mayne Reid was again 
aroused, and he would have crossed the plains with 
one of the numerous caravans but for the counter 
excitement in favour of the far-off strugglers for 
freedom. Two attractions were thus presented — on 
the one hand, a fair prospect of golden gains and 
adventure ; on the other " war to the knife," and 
perhaps death. True to his nature, he unhesitatingly 
c ose the latter alternative, as we have seen. 

Just before Mayne Reid left New York, Commodore 
Moore, of the U.S. Navy, presented him with a fine 
sword. The weapon bore the following inscription : 
" Presented to Captain Mayne Reid, by his old 
iWend, Commodore E. U. Moore." 



\ 



CAPTAIN MAYNE REID 99 

Ma3me Reid lent this weapon in the year 1861 
to his brother-in-law, who had joined the English 
l^on to fight for Garibaldi in Italy. While he was 
asleep one night on the field, the sword was stolen. 
It was never recovered or even heard of, to the great 
r^pret of its owner. 

On the arrival of the Cambria at Liverpool, July 10, 
it was learned that the Bavarian revolution was at an 
end. The leaders were therefore to proceed direct to 
Hungary as soon as their men should arrive. 

Mayne Reid now took leave of his friend Hecker, 
after appointing to join him in London in the course 
of a week or ten days. The former then embarked 
in the first boat leaving for Warren Point, in the 
North of Ireland, to visit his native home before 
engaging in the expedition to aid Kossuth. 

He landed on the quay at Warren Point, July 12, 
and at once inquired for a car to convey him out to 
his home, a distance of about twenty miles, when an 
amusing incident occurred. A couple of " Paddies " 
shouldered his luggage, and were marching off with it. 

" Where is the car ? " inquired Mayne Reid. 

" Shure, your honour, it's close by." 

In turning to speak to a fellow-traveller, he had 
failed to notice in which direction the men had gone. 
After an impatient wait of fifteen minutes, with no 
sign of them or the horse and car, Reid was beginning 
to bless his native land in rather strong language, and 
about to dispatch a boy in search of them^ V9Yitiv\i<^ 



100 CAPTAIN MAYNE REID 

espied the car approaching round the angle of the 
road. Instead, however, of a horse, there was a man 
between the shafts 1 

Mayne Reid, no little astonished, inquired the 
meaning of this, and received the following explana- 
tion from the horse's substitute : 

^ Well, your honour, shure the horse has just gone 
to the smithy to be shod ; he'll be here this minit I " 

The situation was so ludicrous that, in spite of his 
impatience to be off, Mayne Reid laughed heartily, 
and gave three cheers for " Ould Ireland." 

Finally the horse arrived, and after a hard struggle 
— ^the smithy evidently not having agreed with the 
animal's temper — he was confined between the shafts, 
and Mayne Reid once more mounted an Irish car, 
and was travelling over the well-remembered road, 
with its enchanting mountain scenery, leading to his 
old home. 

When within a few miles of home, a messenger was 
sent on ahead to Ballyroney to break the news of his 
arrival to his family, who were in ignorance of his 
having left America. Closely following on the heels 
of his messenger, Mayne Reid soon arrived at the 
home from which he had been absent for ten years. 

We leave the reader to imagine the rejoicings that 
followed. Mayne Reid had left home a mere youth ; 
he had returned a man who had passed through 
many fires, and bore their scars upon him. It was 
not long before the neighbours of the surrounding 



CAPTAIN MAYNE REID loi 

country assembled in a body to do honour to the 
hero of Chapultepec, though the rejoicings were 
saddened by the thought that he must soon depart, 
and on an errand of war. But, while listening to 
some of his adventures, this was for the time lost 
sight of. 

He was especially questioned as to his reported 
marriage to a Mexican heiress, the news of which 
had reached them. He replied that this was a bit of 
romance, and that although he greatly admired a 
moustache on the upper lip of a young Spanish 
beauty, the contemplation of such an adornment on 
the lip of an old one was too much for him ; adding 
to his mother : 

'* I believe you would as soon have me dead as 
married to a papist" 

To which his admiring parent replied : " Indeed, I 
almost think I should." 

The time agreed upon with Hecker expired, and 
Mayne Reid bade adieu to his home and friends, and 
returned to London, arriving about the beginning of 
August He at once threw all his energies into the 
Hungarian cause. 

Shortly after his arrival in London, a public meet- 
ing was held at the Hanover Square Rooms to 
advocate the recognition of Hungary as a nationt 
Mayne Reid was present, and took part in the pro- 
ceedings, as follows (copied from the Illustrated 
London News) : — 



I02 CAPTAIN MAYNE RE ID 

"Colonel Reid, United States, moved the next 
resolution, and announced himself to be at the head 
of a band of bold Americans, who had arrived in this 
metropolis on their way to Hungary, to place their 
swords and lives at the disposal of her people. The 
resolution he moved was as follows: 'That the 
immediate recognition of the Government de facto of 
the kingdom of Hungary by this country, is no less 
demanded by considerations of justice and policy, 
and the commercial interests of the two States, than 
with a view to putting a stop to the effusion of 
human blood, and of terminating the prospect of the 
fearful and bloody sepulchre of a soldier. Gentle- 
men/ he said, * let us hope that this result may never 
be — let us pray that it may never be — and before I 
resume my seat I will offer a prayer to the God of 
Omnipotence, couched in a paraphrase upon the 
language of the eloquent Curran : May the Austrian 
and Russian sink together in the dust ; may the brave 
Magyar walk abroad in his own majesty ; may his 
body swell beyond the measure of his chains, now 
bursting from around him ; and may he stand re- 
deemed, regenerated, and disenthralled by the 
irresistible genius of universal emancipation.' " 

But Mayne Rerd was not destined to fight in the 
cause of Hungary, any more than in the Bavarian 
insurrection. Fate held different purposes for him 
to fulfil. Before the expedition had started, news 
came of the defeat at Temsevar, on August 9, 1849. 
Kossuth had been compelled to abandon his position 
and flee into Turkey, and the subjugation of Hungary 
was soon after completed. 



CAPTAIN MAYNE REID 103 

As there was now no longer a prospect of war, 
Mayne Reid's next effort was to help the legion to 
return to their homes in America. Funds for this 
purpose were raised by selling a quantity of Colt's 
revolvers which he had brought over with him. 

Mayne Reid now finally sheathed his sword, once 
more took up the pen, and b^an those marvellous 
tales of adventure which have made his name famous. 



" We hold Captain Reid to be the very Landseer of living 
anthors. It is obvious that he has seen the localities he 
describes, and become personally acquainted with their strange 
denizens ; and it is with so healthy and natural a zeal he 
plunges into scenes of adventure that we are puzzled to tell 
whether imagination or memory is his guide,^* —CAamders^s 
Journal. 

*^ Captain Mayne Reid's name is familiar as a * household 
word.' There are few who do not know his repute as a prince 
of story-tellers in his own peculiar domain — the wild prairie 
and boundless forest of the far West. To follow some of the 
incidents depicted in his pages almost takes away the reader's 
breath.'* — Bristol Mercury, 

"In many respects Mayne Reid may be called the Fenimore 
Cooper of the San Saba. He enjoys all the gifts of describing 
scenery, and painting personal character, revealed by the great 
American novelist. The gallant captain won his spurs in 
literature, as he did in military distinction, many years ago, 
and it is but fair to say that he has not dishonoured his ancient 
renown. In a word, Captain Mayne Reid is a novelist whose 
works will outlive him.*' — Perth Advertiser, 

" His style reminds one of young lions at play, of quickly- 
beating pulses, of riotous health and sanguine hopes, of 
susceptibilities that make commonplace things romantic, of 
loving without rhyme or reason, of defying danger and daring 
death. Some of his pictures are magnificent, without the 
slightest exaggeration/' — Weekly Despatch^ 



I04 CAPTAIN MAYNE REID 

** Captain Reid is a writer sui generis^ and, now that Cooper 
is no more, he stands without a rivaL" — Morning Post, 

"We pronounce with earnestness that we think it ahnost 
next to impossible to find amongst recent literary productions 
any one that contains more spirit-stirring detiuls of daring 
adventure, mixed with lighter and perhaps more pleasing 
recital of other events, than the ' Rifle Rangers.' * — BelPs Life. 



CHAPTER X 

His First Romance — Commences his Juvenile Tales — 
Organises a Rifle Club— The " Boy Hunters " and the 
•* Young Voyageurs " — Opinions of his Works — Friend- 
ship of Mayne Reid and Louis Kossuth — Defence of 
Kossuth — Correspondence — Crimean War Speech — 
Some Idea of entering a Political Career. 

Before Mayne Raid left the United States he had 
endeavoured to find a publisher for his first romance, 
the " Rifle Rangers," which had been written at the 
house of his friend, Donn Piatt, in Ohio. His efforts 
were unsuccessful, however ; or at least such offers as 
he received were unsatisfactory^ and the manuscript 
therefore accompanied him to Europe. 

With no prospect of fighting on his hands, Mayne 
Reid now sought a publisher for his novel, after 
revising it somewhat. In this he was soon successful, 
the work being brought out in the spring of 1850 by 
William Shoberl, London. It was published in three 
volumes at one guinea, on an agreement to pay the 
author one-half of the profits. The work proved a 
great success from its first appearance, receiving the 
most flattering reception from press and public. 



io6 CAPTAIN MAYNE REID 

The author tells us in the preface to this book 
that " the incidents are not fictitious," and that " the 
characters are taken from living originals." It teems 
with varied Mexican adventures and life-like descrip- 
tions of manners and scenery. The style, as may be 
said of all of the author's works, is bold and spirited. 
Indeed, what Byron said of Bonaparte was true of 
Mayne Reid : 

*' And quiet to quick bosoms is a hell ! " 

Of the "Rifle Rangers" and the author, an 
American correspondent said : 

"In London he found a publisher, and awoke to a 
word-wide fame. The book that could not be pub- 
lished here was translated and republished in every 
language in Europe, and, returning to this country, 
he found thousands of delighted readers. Your 
correspondent, calling once to pay his respects to 
Lamartine, found that gentleman with Mayne Reid's 
book in his hand, and the eminent Frenchman loud 
in its praise. Dumas senior said he could not close 
the book till he had read the last word." 

Mr. Shoberl contrived to pay the author only £2$, 
and this was all the profits Mayne Reid received on 
the first edition of his first romance. He shortly 
after realised large sums from the " Parlour Library " 
edition, published by Sims & M*Intyre, also from 
various subsequent editions. 

Mayne Reid's second romance, the " Scalp Hun- 



CAPTAIN MAYNE REID 107 

ters/' was written in the old house in which he was 
bom — at Ballyroney, Ireland. On its completion he 
returned to London, where it was published in 185 1 
by Charles J. Skeet Over a million copies of this 
work have been sold in Great Britain alone, and it 
has been translated into as many languages as the 
" Pilgrim's Progress." 

Since the death of the author, a correspondent in a 
London daily asserted that Mayne Reid had never 
visited the scenes of his ** Scalp Hunters," and that 
his descriptions in this book were drawn from no 
less than seven different authors. But the wise man 
who told this tale had to acknowledge that his 
statement was wrong, making a public apology to 
this effect 

Shade of Mayne Reid! Such an assertion was 
enough to make him, like Hamlefs father's ghost, 
revisit the earth, armed with a tomahawk and scalp- 
ing-knife, to scalp his traducer. Imagine Mayne 
Reid carrying about a load of volumes ! Why, at 
the time he wrote the book he had no fixed abode, 
and his worldly goods were carried in a couple of 
portmanteaus, the contents of which mostly consisted 
of articles for the outward adornment of his person ; 
while the tools of his trade were carried in his fertile 
brain ready for transfer to foolscap. Moreover, the 
" Scalp Hunters " was written in his old home, in a 
remote part of the north of Ireland, far away from 
railways or circulating libraries. 



io8 CAPTAIN MAYNE REID 

The said volumes would have stood but a poor 
chance of ever arriving at their destination, since the 
Captain's portmanteaus, at that time, were always 
guiltless of locks and keys, and their contents were 
constantly rolling about railway platforms and land- 
ings of steamers. He had been known to arrive at 
his home in Ireland, minus shirts, collars, and dress 
suit, requiring him to replenish his wardrobe very 
often on this account The few trophies — scalps, etc. 
— which he had collected during his Mexican and 
prairie life, being stowed away at the bottom of the 
portmanteau, escaped the fate which usually befel the 
upper goods. 

A few months before his death Mayne Reid wrote 
the following letter to the London Echo^ which, as it 
has a bearing on the " Scalp Hunters," is admitted in 
this chapter. He said : — 

" Sir, — In this day's issue of the EcJio appears a 
paragraph copied from the New York Tribune^ under 
the heading, * White Scalp Hunters.' It tells of an 
inhuman deed, with rejoicings thereat, done in the 
* new and thriving city of Chihuahua.* Chihuahua is 
not a new city, but one of the oldest in Northern 
Mexico ; and I grieve to add that the deed chronicled 
there is neither new, nor of rare occurrence. Any- 
one who has read my novel, the * Scalp Hunters * — 
from which the paragraph referred to takes its head- 
ing — will find in the penultimate chapter an account 
otdL similar incident, thus: 



CAPTAIN MAYNE REID 109 

** ' The return of the expedition (that of the scalp- 
hunters) to El Paso was celebrated by a triumphant 
ovation. Cannon boomed, bells rang, fireworks hissed 
and sputtered ; masses were sung, and music filled 
the streets. Feasting and merriment followed, and 
the night was turned into a blazing illumination of 
wax candles, with un granfuncion de baUe — fandango. 
Next morning, as we rode out from El Paso, I 
chanced to look back. There was a long string of 
dark objects waving over the gates. There was no 
mistaking what they were, as they were unlike 
anything else. They were scalps.' 

"In another of my novels, of later date, I have 
given account of a similar gory adornment over the 
gates of Chihuahua; and the same may be said of 
other Mexican frontier towns, as incidents of frequent 
occurrence during the last three-quarters of a century. 
Why it is now brought before the civilised world as a 
novelty is a matter of surprise to yours obediently, 

"Mayne Reid." 



Shortly after the publication of the " Rifle Rangers," 
David Bogue, publisher, of Fleet Street, proposed to 
Mayne Reid to write a series of boys' books of 
adventure, the books which earned for him the title 
of the " Boys' Novelist" (Since this period Mayne 
Reid has had many imitators in works for juveniles, 
but he was the earliest in the field, and as yet he 
stands unrivalled.) The first of these was "The 
Desert Home, or English Family Robinson." It 
was published by Bogue at Christmas, 185 1, in an 



no CAPTAIN MAYNE REID 

illustrated cloth edition, at 7s. 6d. The Globe^ 
February 2, 1852, says: — 

" Captain Mayne Reid offers to the juvenile com- 
munity a little book calculated to excite their surprise 
and gratify their tastes for the Transatlantic and the 
wonderful. The dangers and incidents of life in the 
wilderness are depicted in vivid colours." 

The second, third, and fourth chapters, and part of 
the last, relate to one of the trading trips made by the 
author (referred to in Chapter II. of this Bi(^aphy) 
from St Louis, Mo., to Santa Fe, New Mexico, and 
thence to Chihuahua, Mexico. On this particular 
trip, Mayne Reid was accompanied by a party of 
eleven, including several hunters. On their return 
through the wilderness, by a new route, they one day 
chanced upon a lovely and secluded valley, a veritable 
oasis in the desert, having only one entrance. Living 
in the valley were a family of English people, con- 
sisting of a man and his wife and several children, 
who had several years before lost their way while 
crossing the country with a caravan. Becoming 
separated from their fellow-travellers, they had 
accidentally strayed into the valley, where they had 
lived in peace and comfort ever since. 

As the season was far advanced, the proprietor of 
the lone ranche invited Mayne Reid and his party to 
spend the winter with him, promising to return with 
them to St Louis in the spring. The invitation was 
accepted, and in the following May the whole party 
returned to civilisation. 



CAPTAIN MAYNE REID in 

The story consists of an account of the trials and 
adventures of this family in their desert home, as 
related to the author, with descriptions of the fauna 
and flora surrounding them. This work is founded 
upon actual fact While preparing it for publication, 
years afterwards, the author corresponded with the 
former proprietor of the home in the desert 

• •••••• 

In addition to his literary work. Captain Mayne 
Reid now established a Rifle Club. His military 
ardour was not quite quenched. " The Belvidere Rifle 
Club " was the title. The preliminary conditions for 
obtaining recognition by the Crown were stated by the 
Marquis of Salisbury, Lord-lieutenant of Middlesex, 
to be that the numbers of a Volunteer Rifle Corps 
should not exceed sixty, and that particulars of the 
names of the members, and of the mode of training 
in arms practised, should be supplied. 

.•■■•.• 

One year from the appearance of the "Desert 
Home," the " Boy Hunters ; or, Adventures in Search 
of a White Buffalo," was published. The dedication 
of the new work is as follows : — 

"For the boy readers of England and America, 
this book has been written, and to them it is 
dedicated. That it may interest them so as to rival in 
their affections the top, the ball, and the kite ; that it 
may impress them, so as to create a taste for that most 
refining study, the study of Nature; that it may 



112 CAPTAIN MAYNE REID 

benefit them, by bq;etting a fondness for books, the 
antidotes of ignorance, of idleness, and vice, has been 
the design, as it is the sincere wish, of their friend the 
author." 

In his preface the author justly " claims considera- 
tion for the truthfulness of the materials out of which 
it is constructed. He makes bold to endorse the 
genuineness of its scenery and its natural facts. He 
is not conscious of having taken any liberty, for the 
sake of effect, with the laws of Nature, with its fauna 
or its flora. Neither plant nor tree, bird nor mammal 
has been pressed into service beyond the limits of its 
geographical range." 

Like the first volume of boys' books, the adventures 
detailed in this one took place on the plains of the 
Far West. 

At Christmas, 1853, the " Young Voyageurs ; or, the 
Boy Hunters in the North,*' a sequel to the "Boy 
Hunters," came to delight old and new friends. This 
was dedicated : " Kind father, gentle and afTectionate 
mother, accept this tribute of a son's gratitude." 

The first paragraph of the opening chapter in- 
dicates the scene and contents of the story. This is 
quoted below, as a fair illustration of the bold style of 
the author, peculiar to all his writings : — 

" Boy reader, you have heard of the Hudson's Bay 
Company? Ten to one you have worn a piece of 
fur which it has provided for you ; if not, your pretty 



CAPTAIN MAYNE REID 113 

little sister has — in her muff, or her boa, or as a 
trimming for her winter dress. Would you like to 
know something of the country whence came these 
furs — of the animals whose backs have been stripped 
to obtain them ? As I feel certain that you and I are 
old friends, I make bold to answer for you, 'Yes.' 
Come, then! let us journey together to the *Fur 
Countries ' ; let us cross them from south to north." 

The London Nonconformist said of the "Young 
Voyageurs " and its author, on the first appearance 
of the book : — 

" As a writer of books for boys, commend us above 
all men living to Captain Mayne Reid. We venture 
to add that we should like to see even men of any 
age who could deny that its perusal gave them both 
pleasure and instruction." 

These juvenile works have been read by millions 
of readers, and they continue to delight and instruct 
the youth of all civilised countries. Indeed, it is 
within the bounds of truth to claim that no other 
books have been so repeatedly read by youthful 
readers, and none ever imparted more wholesome in- 
struction. On this latter point, the Chicago (III.) 
Inter-Ocean thus testified, a few days after the death 
of Mayne Reid : 

" His books will gladden . boys and girls and 
interest parents, as long as stories of advei\tat^ ^xv^i 



114 CAPTAIN MAYNE REID 

travel, romance and heroism, truth and devotion, are 
allowed an honoured place in the home library. . • . 
No boy or girl ever read a story by Captain Mayne 
Reid without having learned something worth 
remembering through life; and yet none ever 
gathered from its pages a hurtful knowledge of any 
sort" 

And this from the New York Herald^ on the same 
sad event — his death : 

" Very notable, indeed, is the deep and wide know- 
ledge of natural history displayed throughout all his 
writings. ... It is not an unsafe prediction to say 
that his works will continue to be as popular fifty 
years hence as they are to-day." 

Mayne Reid*s writings distinctly mirror the 
character of the man — his frank, ardent, and manly 
nature, and deep sense of justice; his love of the 
grand and the beautiful — every trait is presented to 
our view. Many of his books are founded on his own 
romantic adventures, and thus, as a critic states, the 
" romance is reality." This latter feature is especially 
true of his romances for older readers. 

• ••••. • 

During the year 1852 a strong friendship com- 
menced between Mayne Reid and Louis Kossuth, 
the ex-Governor of Hungary, who was at that time 
living in London. The former took an enthusiastic 
inttxtsX, in the Hungarian cause, and attended and 



CAPTAIN MAYNE REID 115 

took part in many public meetings held on behalf of 
the refugees. 

In February, 1853, when the ill-fated insurrection 
at Milan took place, Kossuth was anxious to join the 
insurgents as soon as possible. Mayne Reid pro- 
posed that Kossuth should travel across the Continent 
disguised as his servant A passport was actually 
procured from the Foreign Office for this purpose, 
" for the free passage of Captain Mayne Reid, British 
subject, travelling on the Continent with a man- 
servant, James Hawkins, British subject" All was 
in readiness for their departure, when a telegram in 
cipher was received by Kossuth stating that the 
uprising had proved only an emeute. 

Fortunately for Mayne Reid, he was thus spared 
risking his life on the altar of friendship, as he was 
quite prepared to do. Capture in Austria would have 
been certain death for one, if not for both of them. 

In the same month (February) the Times 
published a so-called proclamation which it claimed 
purported to be addressed by M. Kossuth — who was 
then in London, as before stated, an exile from his 
own country — to the Hungarian soldiers in Italy. 
Mayne Reid, quick to resent an injury to anyone, 
and especially to a friend of his, wrote a scathing 
letter to the Times, in which he pronounced the said 
proclamation a forgery. That journal, however, not 
only refused to publish the letter, but afterwards 
treated Kossuth's own repudiation of the document, 



ii6 CAPTAIN MAYNE REID 

which Mayne Reid had forwarded to the Times, in the 
same disgraceful manner. 

The following is a brief extract from Mayne Reid's 
letter, which appeared in the Sun a day or two 
after its refusal by the Times : — 

*'In your journal of the loth inst appears a 
telegraphic despatch announcing an insurrection in 
Milan, and underneath in the same column a 
document which you state 'purports to be from 
Kossuth/ and to which is appended the name of that 
gentleman. Now, sir, M. Kossuth either did write 
that document, or he did not If he did, and you 
published it without his authorisation, you have 
committed, by all the laws of honour in this land, a 
dishonourable act If he did not write it, you have 
committed, by the laws of justice in this land, a 
criminal act. I charge you with the committal of 
both. You are guilty of the latter ; and the latter, 
like a parenthesis, embraces the former. You have 
published that document without any authorisation 
from the man whose name is subscribed to it; and 
upon the day following, in an additional article, you 
have declared its authenticity, as a proclamation 
addressed by M. Kossuth, from Bayswater, for the 
purpose of engaging the Lombard and Hungarian 
patriots in the late insurrection at Milan. As such, 
sir, in the name of M. Kossuth, I disavow the docu- 
ment. I pronounce it a forgery. It remains with M. 
Kossuth to bring you before tiie bar of the law. It 
has become my duty to arraign you before the 
tribunal of public opinion.'' 



CAPTAIN MAYNE REID 117 

A few days later, M. Kossuth wrote Mayne Reid a 
long letter — that which the Times had also refused to 
publish — in which he disavowed the proclamation, 
and gave many reasons why he could not have 
written, or even approved of the document In this 
letter he thanked his friend in the following warm 
terms : — 

•*I feel myself under high obligations for the 
generous and chivalric manner in which you stepped 
forth to do me justice, when you knew me to be 
wronged in that ' proclamation ' matter ; as also I feel 
bound to lasting gratitude towards you for the noble 
readiness with which you gave me at once your help- 
ing hand, at my request, to aid me to reach the field 
of that action which I did not approve, but which, of 
course, I must have been anxious to join. ... I re- 
main, with the highest regards and sincere gratitude, 
dear sir, 

" Yours affectionately and obediently, 

"M. Kossuth." 

This letter was published, in full, in the Morning 
Advertiser. In the editorial columns of the same issue 
was a long article condemning the course of the 
TimeSy which paper was referred to as "a journal 
whose name has for some time past been everywhere 
regarded as synonymous with all that is unprincipled 
and ungenerous." The editorial also stated that 
'* Captain Mayne Reid deserves, and will receiv^^ th^ 



ii8 CAPTAIN MAYNE REID 

thanks of every lover of justice for his spirited and 
triumphant defence of the character of Kossuth." 

Again, in the following April, the Times attacked 
Kossuth, saying that he was storing arms at 
Rotherhithe. Again Mayne Reid rose to the 
occasion : — 

"Once more you have assailed M. Kossuth/' he 
wrote the Times; "once more you have shot your 
envenomed shaft; and once more, glancing back 
from the pure shield of that gentleman's honour, your 
poisoned arrow has recoiled upon yourself. Un- 
scathed stands he. His escutcheon is unstained. 
Even your foul ink has not soiled it It is pure as 
ever ; spotless as the pinions of the swan. ..." 

This letter, the full text of which occupied con- 
siderable space, was also published in the Morning 
Advertiser. 

The "forged proclamation," and later correspon- 
dence, called forth numerous editorials from the 
press, roundly denouncing the course of the Times^ 
and warmly praising Mayne Reid for his able 

defence. 

Mayne Reid remained the staunch friend of Louis 
Kossuth— ever ready to defend him with his resolute 
pen, as he had been with his sword. 

A correspondence was kept up for many years 
between the two men. The following letters from 
M. Kossuth show its intimate nature ;— 



CAPTAIN MAYNE REID 119 

''March 28, 1856. 
•'Captain Mayne Reid, 

"My Dear Sir, — Here I am again to torment you 
eternally. I send you the second half of my second 
lecture for revision ; the first half I am just a little 
cutting to the proper length, inasmuch as this second 
half, as you shall see, scarcely does admit of much 
abbreviation. How long can a lecture be ? 

" Yours affectionately, 

" Kossuth." 



''June 6, 1856. 
"Captain Mayne Reid, 

"My Dear Sir, — Sick, exhausted, and outworn, 
have had to prepare a new lecture for Glasgow, I 
whither I travel next Monday. Hard work, this 
lecturing, but it promises to be remunerative ; and I 
have debts to pay, and my children want bread. 

" I am greatly under obligation for your many 
kindnesses and assistance. I am not unmindful of 
my obligation, and I hope soon to testify to it ; but 
do me the favour once more to revise my grammar 
and syntax, I pray you. 

" With the most sincere assurance of gratitude, 
I am, 

" Yours in truth and affection, 

" Kossuth." 



" March /^ 1861. 
"Captain Mayne Reid, 

" My Dear Friend,— Very sorry to hear of the 



I20 CAPTAIN MAYNE REID 1 

illness of Madame Reid and of your own indisposition. 
Bronchitis, that curse of the London climate, is a very 
trying affair ; we know only too much of it 

" Many, many thanks for your kind offer, which I 
gladly accept as far as your powerful pen is con- 
cerned. I am, indeed, in need of it, the more so as I 
have no time to write myself — have scarcely time to 
breathe. . . , The papers — at least most of them- 
are well disposed, even the Times (only think I). 

" So write ! write I write ! is the word now rrn 
than ever. 

'* Yours very faithfully, 

" Kossuth. 



In October, 1853, a meeting was held at the 
London Tavern, under the presidency of Lord 
Dudley Stuart, for the purpose of expressing sym^ 
pathy with Turkey. Mayne Reid was present, 
spoke against secret diplomacy. The following i; 
brief report of his speech : — 

"Secret diplomacy I There was not a phrase 
the language that was more repugnant to the heai 
and the ears of Englishmen. Secret diplomacy! 
There was dishonour in the sound, there was positive 
and palpable meanness in the thought. What has 
secret diplomacy done for England ? Was it by 
secret diplomacy that this mighty nation had been 
built up? If they looked back upon their former 
history, they would find that the tricksters of foreign 
countries had always out-tricked the tricksters of 



n — 

1 

the 

ord 

;ar^^* 



J 



'••Tag 



CAPTAIN MAYNE REID 121 

England. He could understand some mean and 
petty nation having resort to secret diplomacy, but 
he could not understand why England should have 
recourse to it Their first duty was to know what 
was right ; and having ascertained that, to demand it 
in the most open and straightforward manner. He 
was no lover of war; he would be glad to see the 
sword turned into the ploughshare, but he believed 
the time had come when war was not only just, but 
a strict and holy necessity. They were bound by 
treaty to protect the integrity of Turkey. Throw 
interest to the winds ; their honour called upon them." 

A week later, on the 22nd of October, the British 
and French fleets entered the Bosphorus, determined 
to prevent the dismemberment of Turkey, although it 
was not until the following March that war was 
declared against Russia. 

About this period it was supposed by many that 
Mayne Reid would enter the lists as champion in 
a political career, as he then numbered among his 
personal friends Richard Cobden, as well as other 
men of note. But it was not Mayne Reid*s fate to 
earn his laurels as a politician. He only occasionally 
" aired his views " on the public platform. 



CHAPTER XI 

The Captain and his " Child-Wife "—Romantic Courtship 
and Marriage — Amusing Incidents. 

Mayne Reid had now at length met " his fate " — 
not in the dark-eyed Mexican senorita, nor the 
youthful loves of his boyhood, nor bright-eyed 
damsels of his maturer years, who may have wor- 
shipped at the hero's shrine, but in a fair little 
English girl, a child — scarce thirteen years of age. 
Her name was Elizabeth Hyde, the only daughter of 
George William Hyde, and granddaughter of the late 
Saville John Hyde, of Quorn House, Leicestershire, 
and Sevenoaks, Kent, a lineal descendant of Edward 
Hyde, the first Earl of Clarendon. 

In his novel entitled " The Child- Wife," Captain 
Mayne Reid thus refers to his first meeting with 
Elizabeth Hyde, the child who afterwards became 
the captain's " child-wife." 

"In less than ten minutes after, I was in love with 
a child ! There are those who will deem this an 
improbability. Nevertheless, it was true ; for we are 
recording an actual experience." Later he says: 
" That child has impressed me with a feeling I never 
had before. Her strange look has done it I feel as 

122 



CAPTAIN MAYNE REID 123 

if she had sounded the bottom of my soul ! It may 
be fate, destiny ; but as I live, Roseveldt, I have a 
presentiment she will yet be my wife ! " 

The courtship and marriage was a little romance 
in itself; and I here give briefly its chief outlines : — 

"My first meeting with my future husband 
occurred in London, where I was then living with my 
aunt, the widow of my uncle, an elder brother of my 
father's, who had brought me up soon after the death 
of my mother, which happened when I was a baby. 

" Captain Mayne Reid was one evening a guest at 
my aunt's house, and until that memorable night I 
had not even heard his name. Famous authors and 
warriors had no part in my life at that date. But 
during that same evening the gallant Captain had 
chanced once or twice to see myself, and, as he him- 
self expressed it, had * fallen in love with me at first 
sight' While on my part, the gallant hero had 
made no impression whatever ; for when I was 
asked that night by someone who had not yet had a 
look at the lion, ' What is Captain Mayne Reid 
like ? ' ' Oh ! he is a middle-aged gentleman,' was my 
reply, giving no other description of him at all. This 
was afterwards repeated to Mayne Reid, and he 
allowed that his vanity was much wounded thereat 

"On the following morning, my aunt said to me : 
* Captain Mayne Reid has fallen desperately in love 
with you, my child! He did nothing but talk of 
you the whole of the evening.' 

•* To which I replied : * You can tell Captain Mayne 
Reid that I have not fallen in love with hita.' 



124 CAPTAIN MAYNE RE ID 

Indeed, so little impression had this speech of my 
aunt's made upon me, that in a few days the 
* middle-aged gentleman' was quite forgotten. 
Other and graver matters occupied my thoughts. 
The first real sorrow of my life had already entered 
into it, filling my heart with a sadness never to be 
forgotten ; this was the sudden and tragic death of 
my dear uncle, who had been to me as a second 
father. He had taught me all I then knew of 
classic lore, and the heroes of old ; and child, though 
I was, I had been his little companion, and shared 
his confidence. 

''Several weeks had elapsed since the night on 
which I had stood for a moment face to face with my 
fate, when one afternoon, as I was seated alone in 
the drawing-room, busily employed upon a doll's 
outfit, a gentleman entered the room, and coming 
towards me, extended his hand, saying : * Do you not 
remember me ? ' As he had a very foreign appear- 
ance, I exclaimed : ' Oh, yes ! You are Monsieur — ' 
But the visitor interrupted me by mentioning his 
name : ' Mayne Reid.' Presently he asked me 
how old I was, which I told him; then the Captain 
replied : ' You are getting old enough to have a lover, 
and you must have me I ' 

"At this critical moment my aunt came into the 
room, and I gathered up my doll's garments, and 
retired to think it over. 

" But I had already formed my ideal — taking for it 
my own dear father and my dead uncle, who each 
represented to my mind all that was good and hand- 
some ; and my * middle-aged ' lover did not come up 
to my standard. 



CAPTAIN MAYNE REID 125 

'^ After this, Captain Mayne Reid paid almost daily 
visits to my aunt's house, in the hope of seeing the 
niece — myself. But he found so little favour 
in my sight just then that I intentionally 
avoided him. Still did he persevere in his visits to 
my aunt, on one pretext or another. He had dis- 
covered her weakness for novel-reading, and plied her 
with no end of 'light literature,' until at last aunt 
began to think herself the attraction, seeing that 
Mayne Reid spent hours in her society ; but ' all is 
fair in love and war.' " 

(An old Quaker lady — a gjreat friend, who was 
frequently at the house at the time of Mayne Reid's 
visits — was under the same impression, and at the 
first visit she paid after his marriage, said to Mayne 
Reid, in her quaint fashion, " Why, Mayne, I always 
thought thou wast after Eliza " — my aunt) 

" Amongst other questions, my * middle-aged ' lover 
asked me if I thought him handsome ? To which 
question, with the brave frankness of childhood, I 
answered, *No!'" 

(This was another wound to the vanity of 
the hero of Chapultepec and wounder of hearts, 
who, according to an American paper, had 
been described as a "mixture of Adonis and the 
Apollo Belvidere, with a dash of the Centaur.") 

** But I knew nothing of all this, and the gallant 
Captain was totally unlike my heroes — the * Red 
Cross Knight' and 'Jack the Giant-Killer.' So the 
shafts of his fascination fell harmless at my feet 

" Just at that time my middle-aged lover conceived 
an intense jealousy of one of my would-b^ Wj- 



126 CAPTAIN MAYNE REID 

lovers — a young * mid.' — ^whose frank, boyish face 
was much nearer to my ideal. My future husband 
happened to be present on the day when the young 
sailor- boy called to say farewell before leaving to 
rejoin his ship, and this was the first and last occasion 
of the meeting of the • rivals.' 

"Mayne Reid confessed to my aunt that young 
* W.' was the handsomest youth whom he had ever 
seen ! But though the * sailor - boy ' and myself 
never met again, my husband cherished a long 
memory of him, and it was only a year previous 
to his own death that he hea d that his 'hated rival ' 
had been swallowed up by an earthquake a few years 
back ; and as my husband listened to this story, I 
watched a smile of intense satisfaction pass over his 
features, while he looked at me out of the ' tail of 
his eye.' 

" Relative to this episode, my husband frequently 
expressed himself thus to his friends : * My wife is 
very fond of sailors. I am sure she prefers the Navy 
to the Army ! ' This would be given with more 
emphasis if his auditor happened to be a naval 
hero. 

"At last I was beginning to feel some interest in 
my persistent lover. It must have been pity at first, 
for I imagined he was a refugee, having lately heard 
his name In connection with the refugees, though to 
my childish mind a refugee had no definite meaning, 
only I thought it was something to be sorry for, and 
I pictured to myself that perhaps Mayne Reid had 
no parents or friends, for I had then no opportunity 
of learning about him. 



CAPTAIN MAYNE REID 127 



t€ 



One day he brought me the * Scalp Hunters,' 
telling me to read the book, and I should find myself 
there. This book was written and published before 
the Captain had ever seen me, but he afterwards told 
me that Zoe was a * foreshadowing/ and that at first 
sight of me he had exclaimed to himself, * This is 
Zoe!' 

" At that period I had never read a novel, and had 
I been asked the question, ' Who is your favourite 
author?' I should probably have answered, 'John 
Bunyan,' for I had read the * Pilgrims' Progress ' 
oftener than any other book, carrying a little, well- 
worn volume of it to my bed most nights, and 
putting it under my pillow for reading as soon as 
I awoke in the morning. At the age of seven years 
I had already begun to contemplate starting on a 
pilgrimage, and had selected a certain swampy part 
of the town as the * Slough of Despond * from 
whence to take my departure. I questioned my 
uncle as to how far it was to the ' Valley of the 
Shadow of Death,' and thought myself quite equal to 
fighting with * Apollyon.' My dear uncle, thinking 
to please me, bought me a new copy of my favourite, 
but I cried for my old volume. Though battered 
and torn, it was dear. I could not exchange * old 
lamps for new.' My childish * pilgrimage ' had like- 
wise a ' foreshadowing.' 



" My aunt was now about to be married again to 
a clergyman, and to remove to a distant suburb of 
London. Just before our departure Captain Mayne 
Reid called one day to wish us good-bye, as he was 



128 CAPTAIN MAYNE REID 

going on a visit to Paris. My aunt was from home, 
so I had an interview alone with the Captain. He 
said to me : 

'* ' I shall not know where to find my little Zoe 
on my return.' 

^But I could not enh'ghten him, since I did not 
m)^self know our future whereabouts. There was 
rather a sad expression on the face of my would-be 
lov^ as he retained my hand in the good-bye ; but 
I somewhat impatiently turned away, little thinking 
how long it would be ere we should meet again. 

** The door had no sooner closed on his retreating 
figure than I relented, thinking to myself I might 
have been kinder. I walked to a side window which 
looked down the street, and as I stood watching the 
figure of Mayne Reid he suddenly looked back and 
kissed his hand to me ; and from that day, for two 
years, we never saw or heard of each other. For 
when Captain Reid returned from Paris he lost sight 
of my aunt, and they never renewed their acquaint- 
ance. Thus he had no tidings of myself, and after 
my aunt's re-marriage I had left her to live with my 
father in the country. My aunt's new husband had 
told her that he should not like to have the responsi- 
bility of myself, since I was ' likely to grow up very 
attractive.' Perhaps having heard of my conquests 
so early in life, his reverence imagined that he might 
find me a difficult little article to manage. 

"My aunt had written to my father telling him 
about Captain Mayne Reid, though these two had 
not yet seen each other, and neither my father nor any 
of my friends imagined that there was anything 
serious in this ' love affair/ and were only amused at 



CAPTAIN MAYNE REID 129 

the thought of such a mere child captivating so great 



a man." 



Two years had now elapsed since the parting in 
London, when, without the least knowledge that his 
Zoe was there, fate brought Captain Mayne Reid to 
the town at which she was staying, where he had 
been invited to address a public meeting on behalf of 
the Polish refugees. 

** I was one of the audience at the Mechanics' Hall, 
where the meeting was held, accompanied by my 
father and other friends. An electric thrill seemed to 
pass through me as Captain Reid entered the room. 
Instantly, as though drawn by an invisible hand, and 
without a word to my friends, I left my seat and 
followed in the direction I saw him take. There was 
a platform at one end, occupied by the speakers and 
a few ladies and gentlemen. He took his seat on the 
platform, and I mine also, just opposite to him. As 
yet we had not spoken, our eyes only seeking each 
other throughout the whole evening. 

" It was like being in a dream. There was a sea of 
faces below me, but I seemed to distinguish nothing. 
Of the speeches made I have not the faintest recol- 
lection ! 

"At last it all came to an end — near midnight. 
The audience were fast dispersing in the body of 
the hall: the lights were being extinguished. The 
few who remained on the platform were hand-shaking 
and congratulating the speakers. Captain Reid had 
a number around him. I might also have joined 



I30 CAPTAIN MAYNE RE ID 

them — ^we were then standing only a few feet apart 
— ^but something held me back. 

The place was now almost in darkness — ^all were 
leaving the platform. I caught a glimpse of my 
father hurrying towards me, and could just dimly see 
two or three gentlemen, evidently waiting for the 
Captain, who was still engaged in earnest conversation 
with one person. 

** It seemed as though we were again about to be 
severed. At that moment Captain Reid came towards 
me, grasped my hand, and I just caught the hurried 
words: 

•* * I leave for London by the next train. Send me 
your address.' 

Speech seemed to have left me, but it flashed upon 
me that I was in ignorance of his, and managed to 
stammer out : 

*• * I do not know where.' 

" He instantly handed me his card, and was gone. 
My father lifted me in his arms down from the plat- 
form, and we groped our way out in the darkness. 
I then learned that Captain Reid had only arrived 
that evening, and was obliged to leave by the mid- 
night train for London. 

"On awaking the next morning, I immediately 
sprang out of bed to see if the card which I had left 
on my table the previous night was still there— or if 
it had not all been a dream. But there was the card, 
with the name and address in full. 

" It was not long after breakfast before I wrote and 
posted the formal little note : 

"'As you asked me last night to send you my 
address, I do so.' 






CAPTAIN MAYNE REID 131 

"By return of post I received the following 
reply : 

" * My little Zoe : only say that you love me, and I 
will be with you at once.* 

" To which I replied : * I think I do love you.' 

" On receipt of this, the Captain put himself into an 
express train, and quickly covered the hundred and 
fifty miles which separated us. My lover told me 
that when we had parted in London, two years before, 
he had feared it was impossible to make me love 
him ; but that he could never forget me, and, in spite 
of all obstacles, had the firm conviction that I should 
yet be his. 

** My father rather reluctantly gave his consent to 
our marriage, the date of which was then fixed. I 
remember telling my father that I should be obliged 
to marry Captain Reid all the same, even if he could 
not consent But his disposition was the most gentle 
and confiding, so he yielded. 

"The last letter from my fianci contained the 
following : 

" * I shall soon now call you my own, and gaze 
again into those beautiful eyes. Your love falls on 
my heart like dew on the withered leaf I am 
getting old, and blasi^ and fear that your love for me 
is only a romance, which cannot last when you know 
me better. Do you think you can love me in my 
dressing-gown and slippers ? 



> >» 



Shortly after this, Elizabeth Hyde became Captain 
Mayne Reid's "child-wife." Her aunt was greatly 
astonished at learning the news, for she was daily 



132 CAPTAIN MAYNE REID 

expecting her niece's arrival in London, en route for 
school, to finish her education. The child had gone 
to school, of a different kind — to educate heiself In 

the experiences of life ! 

• •••••• 

After Mayne Reid's marriage, many amusing 
incidents occurred in relation to his '' child-wife," as 
she was called by her husband One day the author, 
accompanied by his little lady, was choosing a bonnet 
for her at a fashionable milliner's in R^ent Street 
The milliner had addressed Mrs. Reid several times 
as '' Miss." Somewhat irritated, her husband finally 
exclaimed, rather sharply, " This lady is my wife 1 " 
The milliner, looking very much astonished, 
replied : 

•* I beg your pardon, sir ; I thought the young 
lady was about returning to school, and that you were 
choosing a bonnet for her to take." 

Two years later, when they were residing in the 
country, Mrs. Reid was one day in the village baker's 
shop, ordering, among some other things, some 
biscuits. Whilst the old man behind the counter was 
weighing them out, he offered some to Mrs. Reid. 
She thought it rather odd, but not liking to appear 
offended, took a biscuit The baker then inquired : 
•* How is Captain and Mrs. Reid ? " Mrs. Reid was 
much surprised as well as amused at this question, 
thinking, of course, that the baker must know her, as 
she had often been in the shop with her husband. 



CAPTAIN MAYNE REID 133 

She replied : " Captain Reid is quite well, and I — I 
am Mrs. Reid." 

The old man's face was a study for an artist ; he 
nearly fell back behind his counter, exclaiming : " I 
humbly beg your pardon, ma'am ; I thought you was 
the young lady visiting at the house during the 
holidays." 

The Captain's wife being still taken for a school- 
girl, it was necessary for her to assume an extra 
amount of dignity. It appeared that the villagers 
had fancied that Mrs. Reid was an elderly invalid 
lady, who did not go out much. 

About this time, Mrs. Reid's father was on a visit 
to them, and used to accompany his daughter on 
horseback nearly every day. He looked so young 
that the servants were asked : " Who is that young 
gentleman who is always riding out with Mrs. 
Reid ? " They got things considerably mixed, taking 
the husband for the father, and the father for some- 
thing else, the latter being much the younger-looking 
of the two, though both were about the same age. 

A short time before Mayne Reid's death, he and 
Mrs. Reid were spending an evening at a friend's 
house, where the late John Oxenford was one of the 
guests. Just as they were departing, Mr. Oxenford 
said to Mrs. Reid : ** I have had a very pleasant 
surprise in meeting your father again; he is as 
entertaining as ever." Mrs. Reid was rather puzzled, 
since her father had been dead some years, until the 



134 CAPTAIN MAYNE REID 

hostess explained, '^This is Captain Raid's wife, 
not his daughter." There was a general laugh all 
round. 

These funny incidents were constantly occurring. 
Sometimes Mrs. Reid was supposed to be in no way 
related to Captain Mayne Reid, and would hear all 
kinds of remarks and comments passed upon the 
famous author, which she would afterwards relate 
for his amusement 

Mayne Reid used to say that he could not have 
endured having an old wife. On one occasion, when 
attending a large soiree, a somewhat elderly dame 
of his acquaintance attached herself to him, and 
promenaded the room by his side for a great part of 
the evening. Mrs. Reid wondered what was making 
her husband look so savage. Finally, he came across 
to her and said : 

*• I want you to keep close by me for the rest of 
the evening, or people will be taking that old thing 
for my wife ! " 

Mayne Reid was proud of his "child-wife," and 
liked her to remain the " child-wife " till the end. 



CHAPTER XII 

Rural Life — An Amusing Incident — Long Drives to Lon- 
don — Boys' Books and a New Romance — Letter to 
the London Athetutum — Moves to Gerrard's Cross 
— ^More Books — Novel Trip to Ireland — Returns to 
Literary Work — Method of Writing — Curious Habit. 

Shortly after his marriage, Mayne Reid rented a 
furnished cottage at Stokenchurch, Oxfordshire, 
thirty-six miles from London. He still retained a 
house in London, but had a fancy for rural life, and 
also desired some shooting for the winter. 

The little cottage was situated far back from the 
road on the edge of a common, surrounded by a wood, 
five miles from a railway station, and two miles from 
the nearest village. There was no postal delivery, 
and very little sign of human life, save for an 
occasional waggon passing in the distance, and a coach 
on the high road once a week. To this lonely spot 
the young bride was taken, after a brief residence in 
London. Mayne Reid was out shooting frequently, as 
it was a sport he enjoyed very much. His wife was 
often left alone in the house. Half playfully one day 
she remarked that she would go back to London if she 

135 



136 CAPTAIN MAYNE REID 

were left alone so much in that dreary spot In 
fact, the '' child-wife " was beginning to think she had 
better have gone to school after alL 

One morning, soon after her husband had gone 
out shooting, Mrs. Reid, accompanied by her little 
dog, took a walk through the woods, instead of riding 
on her pony about the solitary roads, as was her 
usual habit On returning in about an hour's time, 
she was greatly amused to see her husband and the 
man-servant in a stooping attitude not far from the 
house, closely engaged in scrutinising the ground. 
So intent were they that the approach of Mrs. Reid 
was unnoticed, and she stood watching them for a 
minute or two. The little dog finally ran forward, 
when her husband suddenly looked up, with an 
expression of joy on his face on seeing his wife. He 
exclaimed : 

" Oh ! my dear, I thought you had gone, and we 
were trying to track your footsteps in the snow. The 
servants had not seen you go out, and when I went 
to your room I saw your hat-box open, and said to 
myself that you had carried out your threat and gone 
off to London. 

The monotony was occasionally varied by an alarm 
in the middle of the night At such times, Mayne 
Reid, armed with his sword, and followed by his 
wife bearing a lighted candle, would make a tour of 
the house. The alarm generally proved false ; but 
had a housebreaker been encountered by the resolute 



CAPTAIN MAYNE REID 137 

and impetuous ex-soldier, it is safe to say he would 
not have escaped with a whole skin I 

For novelty, and perhaps not without hopes of 
meeting with an exciting adventure of some kind, 
Mayne Reid frequently drove himself and wife up 
to London. They usually started at three o'clock in 
the morning, when it was pitch dark, and were 
lighted down the drive-way to the carriage by a 
servant, lamp in hand. The winter was very severe, 
and on several occasions when the morning light 
came, it revealed icicles hanging from the horses' bits, 
while the moustaches of the master and whiskers of 
the groom were white with frost After remaining a 
day or two at their town house, they returned home in 
the same independent fashion. 

The " Forest Exiles," a boys' book devoted to the 
daily life and adventures of a family who settled in the 
Andes Mountains of Peru, was written and published 
in 1854. 

The " Bush Boys," the first of his South African 
books, was completed in time for Christmas, 1855. 
This work was dedicated : 

" To three very dear young friends, Franz, Louis, 
and Vilma, the children of a still older friend — the 
friend of freedom, of virtue, and of truth — Louis 
Kossuth." 

The charming " Quadroon ; or, A Lover's Adven- 
tures in Louisiana," commenced and nearly fiutshed 



n 

ken ch urq^^H 
jmes, an^^^ 



138 CAPTAIN MAYNE REID 

several years before, was completed at Stokenchui 
It was published in 1856, in three volui 
proved one of the author's most popular romances. 
Shortly after its first appearance, it was dramatised 
and performed at the City of London Theatre. 

Some years later (1861) a controversy arose as to 
the source of Mr. Boucicault's drama, " The Octo- 
roon." This induced Mayne Reid to send the 
following letter to the London Atheneeutn, which 
appeared in its issue of December 14 : — ^H 

" During a residence of many years — commencir^B 
in 1S39, and ending, with intervals of absence, in 
1S48— the author of the 'Quadroon' was an eye- 
witness of nearly a score of slave auctions, at which 
beautiful quadroon girls were sold in bankruptcy, and 
bought up, too, notoriously with the motives that 
actuated the Gayarre of his tale ; and upon such 
actual incidents was the story of the 'Quadroon' 
founded. Most of the book was written in 1852; but, 
as truthfully stated in its Preface, in consequence of 
the appearance of ' Uncle Tom's Cabin,' its publica- 
tion was postponed until 1856. The writing of it 
was finished early in 1855. With regard to the 
■ Quadroon ' and the Adclphi drama, the resemblance 
is just that which must ever exist between a melo- 
drama and a romance from which it is taken; and 
when the 'Octoroon' was first produced in New 
York — January, 1S60 — its scenes and characters were 
at once identified by the newspaper critics of thi 
city as being transcripts from the pages of 



CAPTAIN MAYNE REID 139 

' Quadroon.' Some of its scenes as at present per- 
formed are original — at least, they are not from the 
' Quadroon ' — but these introduced incidents are 
generally believed not to have improved the story ; 
and one of them — the poisoning of the heroine — Mr. 
Boucicault has had the good taste to alter, restoring 
the beautiful quadroon to the happier destiny to 
which the romance had consigned her. It might be 
equally in good taste if the clever dramatist were to 
come out before the public with a frank avowal of 
the source whence his drama has been drawn." 



The "White Chief: A Legend of Northern 
Mexico," was published in 1855. This was followed 
in 1856 by the "Hunter's Feast: or Conversations 
around the Camp-Fire." In this latter work the 
author relates many stories which were told around 
the camp-fires of a party of hunters — of which he was 
one — who visited the Far West in search of buffalo. 
One or more of the author's own adventures are 
included. 

Mayne Reid was now getting tired of the solitude 
of Stokenchurch, the novelty having worn off. 
During their frequent drives to and from London, he 
had taken a great fancy to the neighbourhood of 
Gerrard's Cross, Buckinghamshire, and finally settled 
upon a small house there, situated on the high-road, 
twenty miles from London. Into this he moved his 
belongings in the autumn of 1856. Shortly after, he 
purchased a long lease of this and a cottAig^ otv \][^^ 



I40 CAPTAIN MAYNE REID 

opposite side of the road. He called the one he 
occupied " The Ranche," and soon commenced to 
enlarge and make it more commodious. 

The greater number of Mayne Reid's books were 
written in this rural retreat His Christmas book for 
1856 was entitled the "Young Yagers," being a 
sequel to the *' Bush Boys." During this year he 
also commenced the "War Trail: or Hunt of the 
Wild Horse/' the first chapter of which appeared in 
Chambers's JourfMlf January 3, 1857. 

In the spring of 1857, Mayne Reid proposed to 
take a little recreation in a novel way, as he had 
been working very hard. In the month of May, the 
author and his wife, accompanied by a maid, man- 
servant, and a Dalmatian dog, set off in an open 
carriage, drawn by a pair of Norwegian cobs, to 
visit Ireland. They carried a set of cooking utensils 
with them, driving thus all the way to Liverpool, a 
six days' journey. They cooked most of their food 
in the open air, and camped out two nights, having 
got benighted on the lonely road. They, with their 
horses and carriage, crossed over from Liverpool to 
Dundalk in a steamer. 

The Captain and his wife remained in Ireland, at 
the author's old home, until the following August, 
during which time they took long drives about the 
country and also explored the Mourne Mountains. 
Mayne Reid's Norwegian ponies are talked about to 
the present day by his Irish friends. They returned 



■^ 



CAPTAIN MAYNE REID 141 

home to Gerrard's Cross in the same novel manner 
by a diflferent route, encountering several small adven- 
tures on their way. On putting up at Derby, Captain 
Reid was taken for the Queen's Jester, and was 
accosted by several people with : " How do you do, 
Mr Wallet" They had already been taken for a 
circus company, and the g^room was asked where 
they were going to put up. Entering into the joke, 
he told them, ** At the next town." 

Once more at home and in his study, Mayne Reid 
was again "on the war-path," arrayed in his war- 
paint, making ready to delight his ** boy public " and 
older readers with new tales of adventure, romance^ 
and natural history lore. 

• •••••• 

Mayne Reid was unskilled with the pencil, but he 
had a curious habit of introducing odd figures in 
certain parts of his manuscript, intended to represent 
objects described and to be illustrated. To anyone 
but himself, however, they would have represented 
nothing in particular. 

His usual manner of writing was peculiar. He 
rarely sat at a table, but reclined on a couch, arrayed 
in dressing-gown and slippers, with a portable desk, 
and fur robe across his knees, the latter even in hot 
weather, and a cigar between his lips, which was 
constantly going out and being relighted, while the 
floor all around him was strewn with matches. 
Latterly, the dressing gown was discarded for a large 



142 CAPTAIN MAYNE REID 

Norfolk jacket, made from his own sheeps' wool ; and 
he would sit and write at the window in a large arm- 
chair, with an improvised table in front of him resting 
on his knees, upon which at night he would have a 
couple of candles placed, the inevitable cigar 
" materials " and matches being the accessories. 

He had a singular habit of reading in bed, 
with newspapers, manuscript, and a lighted 
candle on his pillow. At least a score or more 
of times he has been found in the morning with 
the paper burnt to black tinder all around him, but 
neither himself nor the bed-clothes in the least singed. 
No wonder his friends thought he bore a charmed 
life! 



CHAPTER XIII 

New Tales — Continues the Drives to London — Taken for 
a Circus Manager— Mania for attendmg Auction 
Sales — Leases a House in London — New Books for 
Boys — Returns to Gerrard's Cross — A Jamaica 
Romance — ^Wonderful Descriptive Powers — ^Poem on 
the Civil War — Attends the " American Thanksgiving 
Dinner "— " Cannibal Charlie "— " Lost Lenore." 

The next stories from Mayne Reid's pen, published 

in 1858-59, were the "Plant Hunters," "Oseola; or, 

the Half Blood," and « Ran Away to Sea." 

The first of these books related to the adventures 

of a botanist in the Himalayan Mountains. This 

work, and a sequel which appeared a few years later, 

should be classed among the author's best productions 

for boys. The " Plant Hunters," which was dedicated 

to one of his early teachers, the Rev. David M*Kee. 

'* Oseola" first appeared in Chambers's Journal in 

1858; it is a charming romance, relating to Florida 

during Seminole War times. •* Ran Away to Sea " 

was the author's first essay at writing a tale of the 

sea. This was so well received that another of the 

same character, entitled the "Boy Tar," closely 

followed. 

X43 



144 CAPTAIN MAYNE REID 

Next came the "Wild Huntress," published first 
in Chambers's Journal, the scene of which lies in 
Tennessee, and " Odd People ; a Popular Description 
of Singular Races of Men." Both of these books 
were published in i860. The former was afterwards 
dramatised by the author. 

By way of recreation, Mayne Reid still amused 
himself by driving up to London, though at a more 
reasonable hour. He possessed a variety of vehicles 
as well as a number of horses. Sometimes he would 
drive himself in a large yellow brake, with a pair of 
black horses, invariably accompanied by one or two 
spotted carriage dogs, his wife mounted on the box 
seat beside him. 

Driving up to London one morning in this fashion, 
they happened to be just at the rear end of a circus, 
and as they passed through the toll gate, just beyond 
Uxbridge, the gate-keeper said to Mayne Reid : " Are 
you going to pay for all? You're Mr. Cook" (the 
proprietor of the circus), "aren*t you, sir? The last 
one as went through said the next would pay for alL" 
There was some difficulty in convincing the man that 
the author was not connected with the circus in any 
way. So it appeared that the showmen had all 
cleared the gate without paying toll ! 

At times Mayne Reid possessed a perfect mania 
for attending auction sales when in town, and buying 
the strangest collection of things for which he had no 
earthly use. He would often drive home with a load 



CAPTAIN MAYNE REID 145 

of these articles of virtu. On one occasion, while 
staying on a visit at a friend's house in town, he 
rather horrified the swell footman who helped to 
unload the hansom thus similarly laden. 

In the latter part of the year 1J860, Mayne Reid 
bought the lease of a house in Wobum Place, London, 
where he took up his residence. At Wobum Place, 
during this and the following year, he wrote " Bruin ; 
or, the Grand Bear Hunt," for Messrs. Routledge ; the 
" Wood Rangers ; or, the Trappers of Sonora " ; 
" Quadrupeds ; What They Are and Where Found " ; 
and the "Tiger Hunter; or, Hero in Spite of Him- 
self," adapted from the French of Louis de Bellmare. 

The atmosphere of London, or something else, did 
not seem to agree with the gallant Captain, so in the 
spring of 1861 he returned to his country home at 
Gerrard's Cross. Here he soon busied himself in 
writing another romance, entitled the " Maroon," with 
the island of Jamaica as the theatre of action. It 
first appeared in CasselPs Family Paper, in the year 
1862. The author dramatised the work afterwards, 
and it was performed at one of the London theatres. 

Mayne Reid's wonderful faculty of observation and 
description is clearly evidenced in all his books. In 
the " Maroon," for instance, his descriptions relating 
to Jamaica, and the wild maroons of the mountains, 
their peculiar habits and strange customs, are so 
accurate and true to life that more than one resident 
of the island has declared it almost impossible to 



146 CAPTAIN MAYNE REID 

believe that the author has never set foot there. Yet 
such was the fact 

Before commencing a boys' book, or a romance, 
the scene of which he was not personally acquainted 
with, Mayne Reid thoroughly studied his subject, 
from the best and various authorities, until he 
became an authority himself on the matter. He 
sought facts, and he conveyed them to his readers 
in such a delightful manner that they retained an 
impression of them through life. 

When the Civil War broke out in the United 
States between North and South, Mayne Reid 
strongly sympathised with the Union. Like an old 
war-horse, as it were, he " sniffed the battle from 
afar," and longed to join the fray in defence of the 
starry flag under which he had so gallantly fought 
and shed his blood in the war with Mexico. 

The following beautiful and spirited poem reflects 
, his thoughts and feelings on this subject It was 
written at two different periods — at the commence- 
ment and soon after the termination of the war — 
and published in some American paper under the 
nom-de-plume " Prenez Garde." 

"TO THE UNITED STATES. 

** Ok, land of my longings, beyond the Atlantic, 
What horrible dream has disturbed thy repose ? 
What demon has driven thy citizens frantic — 
A grief to their friends, and a joy to their foes ? 



CAPTAIN MAYNE REID 147 

^ Is it true they are arming to kill one another ? 
That sire and son are in hostile array ? 
That brother is baring his blade against brother — 
Each madly preparing the other to slay ? 

** Is it true the star-banner, so dear to the sight 
Of all freemen, may fall by a fusionist's blow — 
That banner I've borne through the midst of the fight, 
Side by side with thy sons as we charged on the foe ? 

^ I would not, I will not, I cannot believe it ; 
Oh ! rally around it, and stand by the staff 1 
Or the childhood of men will have reason to grieve it. 
And the tyrants of men will exultingly laugh. 

** Aye, sure will the priests and princes of earth 

Greet the fall of thy flag with a joyous ' hurrah ! ' 
Even now scarce suppressing demoniac mirth, 
They'll hail thy decadence with fiendish ' ha, ha I ' 

** To him who would help them to win their foul game^ 
Whether or Northern or Southern — no matter which 
claims him — 
Be a brand on his brow, and a blight on his fame. 
And scorn on the lips of the humblest who names him 1 

" Be palsied the arm that draws sword fratricidal ! 
May the steel of the traitor be broken in two ! 
May his maiden betrothed, on the day of his bridal. 
Prove faithless to him, as he has been to you ! 

^ United, no power 'neath heaven can shake thee, 
No purple-robed despot e'er smile on thy shame ; 
Asunder, as reeds, they will bruise thee and break thee, 
And waste thee like fiax in the pitiless flame. 

'* Woe, woe to the world, if this fatal division 
Should ever arrive in the ranks of the free ! 
Oh, brother 1 avoid then the deadly collision. 
And millions unborn will sing praises to thee ! 

•• London, i86i. 



148 CAPTAIN MAYNE REID 

" The collision came with, Heaven knows, enough 
ruin ; but, happily, not all I had feared. 

''And Heaven be praised that the storm has passed over, 
And left the good ship still afloat on the wave. 
With the same starry flag proudly waving above her. 
More than ever the flag of the free and the brave. 

" Some tackle destroyed — rigging worthless and rotten ; 
Some spars she can spare — ^they but hampered her way; 
While her beaconing star to a new birth begotten, 
Will shine with a surer and holier ray. 

^ Beware the re-rigging ! Let not the old leaven 
Form part of her sail-cloth or cordage again : 
For scathed upon earth, and accursed in Heaven, 
Twould prove in the tempest unfit for the strain. 

" Fling it off from her decks — let it drift to the leeward — 
Anywhere — anywhere — out of her track ; 
She will never be sure of a safe passage seaward. 
While clings to her taifrail the traitorous wreck. 

" You have torn from her log-book the leaf of dishonour, 
Have swept through her scuppers foul slavery's stain ; 
You have blazoned anew her old star-spangled banner. 
Baptized by the blood of your martyrs all slain. 

" Then beware, while you weep o*er the ghastly bereaving. 
As you think of the peril, the pain, and the cost. 
Let the mercy you show in the midst of your grieving. 
Be so ' strained ' that the lesson shall never be lost. 

" London, 1867." 



On the 26th of November, 1863, Mayne Reid and 
his wife were present at the " American Thanksgiving 
Dinner/ held at St James's Hall, London. The 
chair was occupied by the Hon. Robert J. Walker, 



■^w 



CAPTAIN MAYNE REID 149 

and among the guests were Hon. Charles Francis 
Adams, United States Minister, and George Thomp- 
son, M.P. The latter was introduced by the chairman 
as " the hero of this century for the extinguishment 
of slavery." Mayne Reid was called upon to respond 
to the toast, "The Army and Navy, Immortal 
Champions of Freedom, who Bled that our Country 
may Live." The soldier-author responded to the 
invitation with a speech of extraordinary vigour in 
favour of the Federal cause. 

Towards the close of the year 1862 a singular 
being presented himself at Mayne Reid's house in 
London. He was attired in a rough blanket, with 
his head passed through a hole in the middle — a sort 
of poncho — and he carried a brown paper parcel 
under his arm. Mayne Reid listened to his story, 
which was to the effect that he had lately landed 
from Australia, and that he had travelled round the 
earth more than six times, and had also lived with 
cannibals. 

The author invited the " cannibal " to stay and eat, 
as it was just luncheon-time. During the meal, the 
latter remarked that he scarcely knew how to use a 
knife and fork, having been away from civilisation so 
long. Mrs. Reid listened with horror to his numerous 
and wonderful tales. During the repast the host was 
obliged to leave the table, to see some one in his 
study; whereupon Mrs. Reid at once made an 



ISO CAPTAIN MAYNE RE ID 

excuse for following him, fearing that the ^man- 
eater " might eat her up. 

The parcel contained a story, which the man had 
written. He had tried to get an audience with some 
publishers in London, but they would not listen to 
him, his appearance was too forbidding. His name 
was Charles Beach, otherwise *' Cannibal Charlie." 
Mayne Reid told him to leave his manuscript and 
he would look at it, at the same time giving the man 
a sum of money, and telling him to get himself a 
" rig-out." At the " cannibal's " next appearance, he 
was looking a little more civilised. 

With the help of Mayne Reid, the manuscript 
which the " cannibal " had submitted to his revision 
finally developed into a three-volume novel, and was 
published in 1864 under the title, "Lost Lenore; or, 
The Adventures of a Rolling Stone." The preface to 
this interesting and truthful story is as follows : — 

"A * Rolling Stone ' came tumbling across my track. 
There was a crystalline sparkle about it, proclaiming 
it no common pebble. I took it up and submitted it 
to examination — it proved to be a diamond! A 
diamond of the * first water/ slightly encrusted with 
quartz, needing but the chisel of the lapidary to lay 
bare its brilliant beauties to the gaze of an admiring 
world. Charles Beach is the proprietor of this 
precious gem, I but the artisan entrusted with its 
setting. If my share of the task has been attended 
with labour, it has been a * labour of love,' for which 
/ shall feel amply rewarded in listening to the con- 



CAPTAIN MAYNE REID 151 

gratulations which are due — and will certainly be 
given — to the lucky owner of the ' Rolling Stone/ 
the finder of * Lost Lenore.' " 

Mayne Reid failed to do himself justice in the 
above preface, for he had recast and nearly rewritten 
the whole work before it was suitable for publication ; 
but he possessed a generous and sympathising 
nature, and preferred that the unfortunate Beach 
should have the major part of the credit. 

Mayne Reid continued to befriend the " cannibal," 
who at length found some literary work to do in 
London, where he also found himself a wife, and 
lived in a sort of Bohemian fashion from hand to 
mouth. 

The last time that Mayne Reid and his wife 
encountered the ''cannibal" was in New York in 
1870. His parents had paid his passage out, and 
had prevailed upon him to return to his paternal 
home. Beach said he had been trying to " live 
respectable," but found a civilised life very irksome, 
and as the Maine Liquor Law prevailed in his native 
State he had come to New York on a " spree." The 
"cannibal" on this occasion was guiltless of shirt 
collar, saying he found laundry in New York too 
expensive a luxury. Perhaps a civilised life and 
trying to " live respectable " did not agree with poor 
Charlie, for shortly afterwards they heard of his 
death. 



CHAPTER XIV 

Treatise on Croquet — A Law-Suit — Fondness for Personal 
Adornment — His ** Spiritual Welfare" — Many New 
Books — Especially Busy — Proprietor of an Omnibus 
Line — His Masterpiece — Wild Rides — ^Peculiar Charm 
of his B(3oks — Longing for Old Scenes — In the Zenith 
of Fame and Fortune— Builds "The Ranche" — A 
Seat in Parliament in Prospect 

A "Treatise on Croquet" was the title of a little 
work published by Mayne Reid in the autumn of 
1863. He was an enthusiastic lover of the g^me, 
had made a careful study of the rules, and had spent 
many a happy hour in sending his opponent to 
" Hong-Kong." 

Calling at a friend's house one day, he picked up a 
little book entitled, " The Rules of Croquet," by an 
*' Old Hand." After examination, the author found 
it to be a copy of his own book with a new title. It 
had been sent out in boxes of croquet, and Lord 
Essex was responsible for its publication. Mayne 
Reid demanded an explanation and withdrawal of 
the work from the market This being refused him 
he consulted his solicitor, and the result was a 



CAPTAIN MAYNE REID 153 

Chancery suit against Lord Essex. The matter was 
eventually compromised by the payment of ;£^I25, as 
well as the costs of the suit, the withdrawal of the 
book, and the destruction of all copies on hand. 

The gallant Captain was possessed of a g^eat 
weakness for personal adornment, even to the extent 
of dandyism. He used to remark, " My vanity will 
never die," and he certainly did retain this faculty 
till the end. 

Sometimes his rural neighbours would be startled 
by the author's appearance in the grounds sur- 
rounding his dwelling, arrayed in a gorgeous dressing- 
gown of bright scarlet, with smoking-cap to match ; 

* 

at other times he would promenade on Gerrard's 
Cross Common in the latest Bond Street **getup,*' 
or attired in a Norfolk jacket, and wearing a sort of 
black Mexican sombrero on his head. Then he 
would be seen galloping about on his black horse, 
with a military saddle and a tiger skin on the 
animal's back. Captain Mayne Reid's many eccen- 
tricities were frequently the theme of his rural neigh- 
bours' gossip. 

On first taking up residence at Gerrard's Cross 
there was no church immediately near, the parish 
church of Iver being some distance away ; and the 
good mother of Mayne Reid was much concerned at 
hearing this, and knowing that her son possessed a 
portable wooden house on wheels for the accommoda- 
tion of his men-servants, old Mrs, Reid conceived a 



154 CAPTAIN MAYNE REID 

bright idea, and wrote to her son's wife urging the 
latter to persuade Mayne to make use of this wooden 
building as a place of worship, and allow her to send 
over a young minister from the north of Ireland. 
The letter concluded with, "I think I see you, my 
dear Elizabeth, curl your beautiful lip, while Mayne 
exclaims, * Is my mother mad ? ' " 

However, greatly to the good mother's satisfaction, 
the Memorial Church on Gerrard's Cross Common 
was then projected, and soon after completed. 
The dear old lady had imagined her son and his 
belongings to be living in a benighted state of 
heathenism, and thought it time to invoke St. 
Patrick to cross the Irish Sea and banish all the 
snakes from the common. 

Finally, the gallant Captain was a constant 
attendant at the church on Gerrard Cross Common ; 
but it was said that he did so more for the purpose 
of " studying the bonnets " than for the good of his 
soul. His inattention to the service was frequently 
commented upon, and one morning the post 
brought him the following, sent anonymously by a 
young lady : — 

"A friend who is deeply interested in Captain 
Mayne Reid's spiritual welfare forwards a prayer- 
book, with the sincere wish that it may induce him 
to behave more reverently in church ; and, in remind- 
ing him that there is such a colour as lavender, hopes 
that the everlasting lemon kids may be varied I " 



CAPTAIN MAYNE REID 155 

was accompanied by an infinitesimal prayer- 
book and a pair of lavender cotton gloves. The vicar 
also presented him with a large Church Service. So 
the author's ^ spiritual welfare " was well looked after 
at this time. 

One of the humbler members of the congr^ation — 
a labouring man — had also noticed the non-use of a 
prayer-book by the Captain, and thus accosted him 
one day : ^ Oh, sir, I see you don't require no book ; 
you be a scholard." The poor man evidently thought 
he knew it all by heart ! 



Mayne Reid now made a new departure in litera- 
ture. Instead of taking his readers to the prairies of 
America, they were transferred to the peaceful lanes 
and woods of Buckinghamshire, England, though, to 
introduce an element of strife, the scene is laid in the 
time of Charles I. But the author was equal to the 
occasion, and in his new work, the *' White Gauntlet " 
— a historical novel — we find some of his most 
romantic love scenes, while in Captain Scarthe we 
have a villain equal to any others drawn by his 
pen. 

The " Ocean Waifs," a sea tale, was published in 
the Bay/ Journal in 1863. This was followed, a year 
later, by the " Boy Slaves," in the same publication. 

After an interval of six years, Mayne Reid now 
satisfied his boy readers as to the fate of Karl and 



156 CAPTAIN MAYNE REID 

' in a sequel to 



Casper, in the " Plant Hunters, 
entitled the "Cliff Climbers." 

His next boys' book was called " Afloat in the 
Forest" It made its appearance in the Boys' /ou ma/ 
in the year 1 865. The story relates to South America, 
and it should be numbered among the author's best 
efforts for the youth of the land, not only as an 
entertaining story, but for its instructiveness. "Afloat 
in the Forest " was also published in Our Youn^ Folk^ 
Magazine, Boston, Mass., in 1866, Many readers of 
that serial, now grown to manhood, will remember the 
pleasure and profit it gave them. 

The " Guerilla Chief," and several other short tales 
of adventure, were also produced about this time. 
In fact, Mayne Reid was now leading an especially 
busy life, even for him, for in addition to his arduous 
literary labours he had been for some time occupied 
in amateur buildings, brick-making, and a variety oC^ 
occupations, even running an omnibus betwi 
Gerrard's Cross and Uxbridge railway-station. 



1 



yoCH 



The year 1865 ushered in the thrilling romance 
entitled the " Headless Horseman ; a Strange Tale of 
Texas," It was first published in monthly parts, by 
Chapman & Hall, London. De Witt, New York, 
presented it to the American people. 

Many regard this absorbing romance as Mayi 
Reid's masterpiece, and in various features it certainj 
deserves the distinctioa Its great popularity \ 



^ 



CAPTAIN MAYNE REID 157 

ranted its translation into many languages. In 
Russia alone its circulation is officially stated to 
exceed any other work by an English author. 

On the first appearance of the monthly parts, large 
coloured lithographs were to be seen at all railway 
stations, and book and news stores in London and 
other places, representing a handsome black horse 
bearing on his back a rider who was clothed in a 
Mexican striped blanket, booted and spurred — all 
complete but the head^ which was entirely missing ! 

During the publication of the romance, the author 
had the following injunction inserted in the news- 
papers : — 

" With your permission, I beg leave to intimate to 
all theatrical managers that it must be * hands off' 
with the * Headless Horseman.' This silent gentle- 
man has yet many months of weary wandering 
before him, many joumeyings through prairie and 
chaparral, many perils by flood and field ; and until 
these be passed, it is hoped that no unhallowed hand 
will be laid on his bridle-rein." 

Many were the conjectures regarding the secrets of 
the strange rider, and the author was frequently 
entreated by his friends to satisfy their curiosity. 
This he refused to do, however, except in monthly 
instalments. 

As stated in former chapters, Mayne Reid was 
a daring and accomplished horseman. During 
his residence at Gerrard's Cross, and other rural 






158 CAPTAIN MAYNE REID 

places, he was the owner of one or more spin 
saddle-horses. While writing the " Headless Hor^^ 
man," the author — for inspiration as weJl as diversion 
— would almost daily mount a fiery black horse, and 
gallop with headlong speed about the thinly settled 
country. In these wild rides, level tracts and deep 
forests were traversed — some reminder of prairie and 
chaparral — at times varied by ascending a steep and 
narrow trail, offering scarce a foothold, leading to 
some old quarry pits. On one side of this trail was 
a gorge resembling a miniature barranca. 

Thus Mayne Reid in fancy once more roamed 
over the trackless prairies and virgin forests of the 
South-Western United States, once more he mingled 
with the hunter and the mustanger. And it is not 
surprising that on returning home to his study, the 
author was enabled to infuse into his story much of 
the life and realism thus recalled. 

The title, " Headless Horseman," might cause 
some people, who are unacquainted with the works of 
the author, to imagine that it contains little of interest 
or real value aside from the story. Such a thought, 
however, would be far from the truth. A perusal of 
its pages will convince the reader that few romances 
ever embraced a greater variety of instructive matter 
interwoven with a plot. A few, indeed, will begrudge 
tlie numerous and skilfully arranged digressions ; 
among others, a description of frontier life and 
citizenship in Texas in the e.irly days, the milita 



CAPTAIN MAYNE REID 159 

fort with its bronzed troopers, the " hotel " or public 
tavern, the trial by Judge Lynch, the boundless 
prairies ; and, far from least interesting, the graphic 
pen-pictures of the noble wild horse, or mustang, in 
his limitless prairie home, as well as his capture and 
taming; — all delineated with that vivid detail and 
fidelity which none fail to recognise as true to life, and 
founded upon actual experience. 

Mayne Reid had a style peculiarly his own. lo 
his off-hand, dashing way he carried the reader along 
with him, so to speak. His pen was magnetic, and 
one often forgot that he was readings and became so 
absorbed in the narative that he imagined himself a 
spectator of the incident described. The " Headless 
Horseman" possesses this rare charm to a marked 
degree. 

Mayne Reid's longing for the old scenes, which had 
left such a deep impression on his mind, is indicated 
in the following passage from the '* Headless Horse- 
man." Referring to "a pleasure perhaps not sur- 
passed upon earth," he says : — 

"You may talk of the tranquil joys of 
the domestic hearth. At times, upon the prairie, 
I have myself thought of, and longed to 
return to them. But now, looking back upon both 
and comparing them, one with the other, I cannot 
help exclaiming : • Give me the circle of the camp-fire, 
with a half dozen of my hunter comrades around it 
•—once again give me that, and be welcome to the 



i6o CAPTAIN MAYNE REID 

wealth I have accumulated, and the trivial honours i 
have gained — thrice welcome to the care and toil 
must still be exerted in retaining them." ' 



1 



While reading the proofs received from 
publishers of the " Headless Horseman," Mayne Reid 
was revising for book publication a Mexican romance 
entitled " The Bandolero : or, A Mountain Marri^e," 
which he had originally written for the Queen news- 
paper. 

Mayne Reid was now at the zenith of his fame and 
fortune. He was becoming quite a landed proprietor 
at Gerrard's Cross. In addition to the two houses 
which he had owned since 1857, he had bought a 
ninety years' lease of meadow land adjoining, on 
which to erect himself a house after his own h( 
He also purchased some freehold land, which 
intended utilising, as clay was found upon it. 

On the twenty acres of leasehold land, Mayne Reid 
completed the building of a house, in the year 1866, 
after the style of a Mexican k'dcienda. This dwelling 
— in strange contrast to anything in the country — he 
called " The Ranche" ' — the same name which he had 
given his former residence. He said people would 
come to grief over the pronunciation of the proper 
name — hacienda. 

About this time a deputation waited upon Mayne 
Reid at "The Ranche" asking him to stand for Parlia- 
' From the Spanish, raittke. 



leum 



F«5?1 






'li 



i:. 



CAPTAIN MAYNE REID i6! 

ment at the next general election — of course, on the 
Liberal side — and as Mayne Reid was universally 
popular with the Liberals and the working classes 
he would have stood a fair chance of election for the 
county. But ere the said general election took place 
the gallant soldier-author had entered upon another 
phase of his eventful career. 



CHAPTER XV 

Reminiscences by Charles Ollivant — Description of "The 
Ranche " — Builds several Cottages in the Village. 

Mayne Reid possessed many ardent admirers 
amongst his boy-readers — both of England and 
America — and the author's desk was often flooded 
with correspondence from his young friends express- 
ing in strong language their admiration, and begging 
for a photograph of their hero. 

But, amongst all, none was more devoted in their 
attachment to the author than young Charles 
Ollivant, a son of Mr. George B. Ollivant of 
Manchester, and Charles ever after remained a true 
and devoted friend of Mayne Reid. 

Young Ollivant, like thousands of others, the 
world over, had learned to admire Mayne Reid 
through his writings, which led to a great desire to 
know him personally. He finally wrote the author 
a letter, in 1865, from his father's home in Sale, 
Cheshire, and soon after received a kindly reply, 
accompanied by a photograph of the writer. Several 
other letters passed between them during this year. 
In July of the following year, Mr. Ollivant, being on 



CAPTAIN MAYNE REID 163 

a visit to London, says he "decided, without any 
formal announcement, to call upon his author friend." 
He accordingly took a train for Uxbridge, and com- 
pleted his journey — four miles — to "The Ranche" on 
foot 

Mr. Ollivant has kindly prepared for this work 
some personal reminiscences of Mayne Reid, of which 
the following are extracts from an account of his 
first visit to the author : — 

"On arriving at the place and inquiring for 
• Captain Mayne Reid,' I was told that he was not at 
home, having gone out on the common which abuts 
on the village of Gerrard's Cross. Preferring to be in 
the open air to waiting indoors, I retraced my steps 
along the drive, and strolled on to the common. I 
traversed it for some distance, but was unsuccessful 
in meeting with the object of my search, and finally 
gave it up. 

"The day was excessively warm — indeed, sultrjr 
to a degree — and feeling rather tired after my uphill 
walk from Uxbridge, I lay down upon the purple 
heather, which thickly carpeted the common, and, 
with my hat tilted over my eyes, soon lapsed into 
a kind of reverie between sleeping and waking. 

" I remained thus for several minutes, and was fast 
yielding to the drowsy god, when I was suddenly 
aroused by a voice inquiring : * Are you tired, my 
young friend?' Hastily tossing aside my hat I 
beheld a gentleman standing before me attired in a 
light tweed suit, the coat of which had a belt round 
the waist, being what is known as a ' Norfolk jacket ' 



I64 CAPTAIN MAYNE RE ID ■ 

In his right hand he held a silver- headed malacca 
cane. He was slightly over the middle height, of 
erect military bearing, iiis hair black and worn rather 
long, with a heavy moustache and imperial. His 
eyes were dark hazel, nose medium-sized and 
straight, with a small mouth and rather prominent 
chin. Altogether, he possessed a face of that square 
outline which is usually considered indicative of 
determined and daring nature, 

" In this striking figure I at once recognised 
ideal of my boyhood — often pictured to my imag^i 
tion — Captain Mayne Reid, I knew him from the 
photograph he had sent me. On mentioning my 
name, he grasped my hand warmly, and taking my 
arm in his we walked together across the common to 
his house, he talking all the way in that fascinating 
manner which made him so popular among those 
who were fortunate enough to be honoured with his 
acquaintance, 

" Need I say that I was delighted ? To my 
youthful ardour, the ambition of my life seemed at 
length attained : to talk face to face with my favourite 
author. And I found him no dry bookworm of the 
closet, but a practical and warm-hearted man, who 
talked like his books. 

" We soon reached our destination, when the 
promised introduction to his young wife — who had 
just returned from London — was made. How well I 
remember her as she entered the room, with a light 
and graceful step ! Her complexion fair, with hair 
that rippled lightly from a low, white forehead, and 
worn in the simplest fashion. Eyes that glanced 
softly beneath eyebrows delicately peociUcd aod 



i 



CAPTAIN MAYNE REID 165 

truly arched. Her slim figure, slightly below the 
medium height, was set off to advantage in a dress of 
pale blue cashmere, which suited admirably her 
blonde style of beauty. 

** As her husband gave my name, adding the words, 
* My wife,* she extended her hand, and with a 
pleasant smile bade me welcome to 'The Ranche.' 
The house had only quite recently been completed, 
they having entered upon occupation about a month 
previously." 



A brief description of this unique residence, by the 
graphic pen of Charles Ollivant, will no doubt prove 
of interest to the reader. Mr. Ollivant continues : — 



" The house was set back about a quarter of a mile 
from the turnpike road, where two handsome dome- 
shaped lodges, each surmounted by a golden eagle, 
had been erected. They were built of brick, like the 
house, and then stuccoed with Portland cement — the 
brick being made by the author in his own kilns. 
The gate-posts were made to match, the gates them- 
selves of wood, painted a light green, which con- 
trasted well with the greyish white of the lodges. A 
wide carriage-drive swept thence straight toward the 
house, bordered with green-sward and shrubbery. 
When about fifty yards off, it forked to the right and 
left, embracing a large circular fish-pond, joining 
again before the hall door, where it formed a fine 
carriage sweep. The walk then branched in the same 
manner to the stables at the back, encircling thQ 



1 66 



CAPTAIN MAYNE REID 



house ; thus forrning a figure eight, the fish-pond 
house being inside the two loops. 

"This walk was specially designed by Mi 
Reid, whose brain was at all times fertile io noi 
expedients. It enabled a vehicle to approach 
house and return without once turning in its tracks, 
or to continue on to the stables in the rear — a 
manifest advantage. 

"The house itself, seen in the distance, presented 
an unusually picturesque appearance — quite unlike 
anything ever seen in England. Like the lodges, it 
was a grey white, being cemented as they were, and 
formed a solid square of two storeys. The roof was 
flat, and surrounded on all sides by balustrades made 
of cement on a new plan invented by Mayne Reid. 
In the centre ro.se a small dome, with doorway, 
whence the roof could be reached from the inside by 
a spiral staircase. On each side of this was a low, 
oblong tower, also surrounded with balustrades, but 
of a smaller size than those which surrounded the 
roof of the house. In fact, they were intended to 
represent the house in miniature. 

"Those hideous excrescences, chimneys, w 
noticeable by their absence. While the house was 
course of construction, Mayne Reid told me that 
had many a joke with his neighbours about thi 
leading th«m to infer that he intended to consume his 
own smoke. Not until its completion was the 
mystery solved ; when it was discovered, from the 
smoke seen ascending' therefrom, that al! the chimney 
flues were conducted into these handsome-looking 
towers ; and only bv this means could it be told thi 
they served the purpose of chimneys. . . . 



a 






a 



I 



IJI 



ill' Jl » 



.,!#■ ■;' J' 



CAPTAIN MAYNE REID 167 

"Entering the spacious hall, the staircase was in 
the centre, a passage on each side leading to the 
back premises. The four lower rooms projected on 
each side, the flat roofs of which, also guarded with 
balustrades, formed pleasant lounging places on a 
fine day, being entered from the low casement 
windows of bedrooms above. I occupied one of these 
during my stay. 

"The room adjoining this was occupied by the 
author as his study; and, when the weather per- 
mitted, he had his chair and table carried outside, on 
the lead floor of the roof, so that he could pursue his 
literary work in the open air. Here I spent many 
happy hours with him. . . . 

" I found Mayne Reid to fulfil my highest 
expectations — a man full of life and energy, able and 
willing to converse eloquently on any topic which 
interested him ; and showing an insight into human 
nature rarely to be met with, which made him a most 
fascinating raconteur, 

" Part of each day he spent on his estate of some 
twenty acres, superintending his workmen, then 
putting the finishing touches to his house. Besides 
this, in the village of Gerrard's Cross he was erecting 
a row of eight or ten model cottages, built on the 
same plan as his own house, with flat roofs, but of 
plain red brick. . . ." 

Mr. Ollivant remained a delighted guest at " The 
Ranche " for about one week, and then departed for 
London, accompanied by Mayne Reid, who had 
business with his publishers in the city. Arriving at 



i68 CAPTAIN MAYNE REID 

fheir destination, they lunched at the tatter's fovourite 
restaurant, in Rq^ent Street, and then bade each 
other &rewelL 

^ Thus ended," says Charles OUivant, ^ my earliest 
personal acquaintance with Mayne Reid, which, thus 
romantically b^^un, rapidly developed into a warm 
and enduring friendship, extending without break 
for seventeen years — to the day of his death." 









gm 



Umt%. 



Sir. 




f""^ 



CHAPTER XVI 

His own Brickmaker and Architect — Superintending his 
Workmen — Bankruptcy — Again takes up his Resi- 
dence in London — Praiseworthy Efforts of Charles 
Ollivant— A Prominent Admirer— The Little Times 
— An Amusing Anecdote — Discontinuance of the 
Paper — ^The "Finger of Fate"— Mrs. Reid wins a 
Law-Suit — Various Productions. 

As before mentioned, Mayne Reid made his own 

bricks, employing a regular force of brickmakers; he 

was also his own architect. During the construction 

of his " Ranche," he was up at six o'clock every 

morning to look after the workmen ; and woe betide 

any who were the least negligent in their duties. 

The author's voice would be heard afar off, and one 

might fancy that he was again storming Chapultepec, 

or that a band of his wild Indians on the war-path 

had suddenly invaded the quiet village ! It is no 

exaggeration to say that at such times his voice, 

which was often likened to a trumpet, could be heard 

a mile away. 

This unfortunate mania for building, combined 

with other failures, finally ended disastrously, and 

Mayne Reid had to give up to his creditors the 

169 



I70 CAPTAIN MAYNE REID 

beautiful country home and other properties, on 
which, as he said, "I had set my heart" Every- 
thing was given up, the author wishing *' to have no 
stain affixed to his name for enemies to point at" 

After such a conflict few men would be able to 
raise themselves up again. But the indomitable 
spirit bom in Mayne Reid was not easily, cowed. 
He set himself resolutely to work, and made an effort 
to pay off his creditors. With spirit undaunted, he 
again took up his residence in London about the end 
of the year 1866. He shortly after resolved upon a 
new enterprise — an evening newspaper at the price 
of one penny. This enterprise, it was believed by 
many men of influence, would have been carried to 
an ultimate success if there had only been plenty of 
money to back it — the one thing needful, and the 
hardest to obtain. 

Prior to this new undertaking of Mayne Reid, his 
young friend, Charles OUivant, proved himself a 
friend in need, by organising a committee for the 
relief of his author friend. The latter having refused 
to receive gratuitous aid, the committee adopted the 
somewhat novel plan of increasing the sales of the 
"Headless Horseman" among the admirers of Mayne 
Reid's works. 

Mr. OlHvant devoted much time and hard work in 
Manchester, his native city, and elsewhere, to secure 
as many purchasers of the book as possible. " I 
am glad to say," writes this gentleman, "that my 



CAPTAIN MAYNE REID 171 

efforts were not fruitless ; and, as Mayne Reid 
wrote me, the amount thus realised was 'a good 
help toward my assets/ Among the subscribers 
was honest John Bright, and the honourable Presi- 
dent of the Cobden Club, Thomas Bayley Potter, 
both taking two copies. When I called upon the 
latter gentleman, he pointed with pride to long rows 
of books on his shelves bearing the name of ' Captain 
Mayne Reid,' exclaiming, 'My favourite author I'" 
The price of the book was I2s. 



Meanwhile Mayne Reid was now busy with 
his pen in earnest, and finally on Saturday, 
April 27, 1867, there appeared on the streets of 
London the first number of a new penny evening 
journal, called the Little Times. It was an almost 
exact counterpart of the Times in miniature. The 
paper contained eight pages, 9^ by 12 inches in size, 
three columns wide. We give here a fac-simile.^ 

This was Mayne Reid's latest venture, and a great 
undertaking it proved, even for one possessed of his 
uncommon energy ; for he not only wrote the edi- 
torials and the matter for the feuilleton,^ but carried 
on his regular literary work at the same time. 

The Little Times was a bright and newsy journal, 
ably edited, and withal very attractive. In the 

* See Appendix. 

2 Part devoted to tales and other entertainiDg matter. 



172 CAPTAIN MAYNE REID 

pablishers* column, among other announcementSi 
were the following: — 

** The Little Times will be published daily as soon 
as possible after the receipt of the morning mails and 
tel^rrams. . . . About the political leaning of the 
Little Times nothing need here be said. Its spirit 
and proclivities will soon be discovered. ... No 
quack or immoral advertisements will be admitted 
into its columns. • . . The terms for advertising will 
be one penny per word. ..." 

The issue of May 2 1 contained the announcement 
that on May 28 would be commenced in the columns 
of the paper a new romance by Mayne Reid, entitled 
the *' White Squaw," a sequel to the famous " Scalp 
Hunters." Before the date mentioned, however, the 
editor was reluctantly compelled to abandon his 
newspaper venture for want of funds to carry on the 
business, also from failing health due to the strain of 
night and day work.^ 

• ••••.. 

After resting awhile, Mayne Reid wrote the 
"Finger of Fate," the first instalment of which 
appeared in the Boys* Own Magazine^ December, 
1867. The proprietor of the Fireside Companion^ 
New York, paid the sum of $5,000 for the right to 
run this romance in his paper. The " Finger of 
Fate" has since (in 1885) earned a fame its author 

* Mayne Reid afterwards wrote a tale called the *' White 
Squaw/' but it was not the projected se(}ueL 



CAPTAIN MAYNE REID 173 

never anticipated for it, Mrs. Reid, his widow, having 
had to defend her rights — and that successfully — in 
the Chancery Division of the Royal Courts of Justice 
Lx>ndony against an infringement of the copyright 
A leader in the Times was devoted to the subject 
By a curious coincidence, the last chapter in the book 
ends with a trial in favour of the plaintiff. 

About the same time Mayne Reid had a short 
serial story, called the " Fatal Cord," running in the 
Beys of England Journal^ and had also engaged to 
write the ** Planter Pirate," another short serial, for the 
same publication. Besides, he was also contributing 
letters to Fome/s Weekly Press^ Philadelphia. 



CHAPTER XVII 

Returns to America — Settles at Newport, R.I. — Plunges 
into Literary Work — Contemplates establishing a 
Youths* Magazine — Moves to New York — Takes out 
Naturalisation Papers — Donation of Le Grand Lock- 
wood — Sends for Charles OUivant — Mr. Ollivant in- 
stalled as Private Secretary — Appearance of Onward 
Magazine — Interesting Contents — Defends General 
Grant— Importance of Free Schools. 

In October, 1867, Mayne Reid and his wife left 
England for America, The author, after his vicissi- 
tudes of fortune, had a longing to visit old scenes. 
They sailed from Liverpool for New York about the 
middle of the month, and arrived at Newport, R.I., 
their ultimate destination, on the 8th of November, 
where they rented a furnished cottage for the winter. 
Soon after his arrival, Mayne Reid was eagerly 
sought by different publishers, who wished to secure 
his name and productions for their journals. At 
Newport he wrote the " Child- Wife," many of the 
scenes and incidents in which work were founded 
upon his own romantic courtship. The story first 
appeared in one of Frank Leslie's publications in 
1868, for which the author received the handsome 



CAPTAIN MAYNE REID 175 

sum of $8poo. It was published in London in three 
volumes by Ward, Lock, & Tyler. Several short 
stories were also produced at this place. In fact, the 
author had as much work for his facile pen as he 
could well handle. 

Mayne Reid had for some time contemplated the 
establishment in New York City of a boys' monthly 
magazine of his own. With this object in view he 
moved to that place in April, 1868. On the 12th of 
the following month he took out naturalisation papers 
in the Court of Common Pleas, New York, and 
became a citizen of the country he loved so well. 

It is due to the memory of this sincere friend of 
American youth, that his new efforts in their behalf 
should receive full notice in these pages, especially 
since the comparatively short life of the magazine 
did not grant it an extensive circle of readers. 

Learning of Mayne Raid's undertaking, the well- 
known banker and philanthropist, Le Grand Lock- 
wood, of Connecticut (since deceased), generously 
placed the sum of 85,000 at his disposal, without any 
restrictions whatever, to help along the project 

The author now sent for Charles Ollivant to join 
him. Mr. Ollivant informs us that he "embarked 
from Liverpool, October 14, 1868, in the Inman 
steamer CiO^ of Boston^ that ill-fated boat which, 
leaving New York in February, 1869, was never 
heard of from that day to this, every soul having 
perished in some unknown catastrophe! I landed 



176 CAPTAIN MAYNE REID ^ 

on American soil on the 28th of the month, receiving 
a warm welcome from Mayne Reid, who met rae at 
CastJe Garden. . . . We at once drove to his home in 
Union Square, where I was formally installed as his 
pri\-ate and confidential secretary." 

About the middle of December, the initial (January) 
number of the new publication made its appearance. 
Its full title was, "Mayne Reid's Magazine Onward, 
for the Youth of America." It was beautifully 
printed and illustrated ; the covers contained the 
title and an attractive design in colours. The first 
number was published by Carleton, but the editor 
afterwards opened an office at 1 19 Nassau Street, and 
published the magazine himself. The expenses were 
greatly reduced by this change, but the labour and 
responsibility increased. The entire management of 
the office devolved upon Mr. OUivant. The noble 
purpose of the magazine is indicated in the followu|^_ 
extract from the prospectus : — ^H 



■"Onward" along the track of civilisation — on 
towards goodness and glory — a finger-post pointing 
to all that is worthy of attainment — a guide to con- 
duct the youth of America along that path leading to 
the highest and noblest manhood ; such is the design 
of ' Mayne Reid's Magazine.* And it is meant for 
the youth of America — they who in a few short 
years will bold as in the hollow of their hand the 
destinies not only of America, but of mankind" 



CAPTAIN MAYNE REID 177 

The subscription price of the magazine was two 
dollars per year, or thirty cents per single copy 
Every number was made up from original matter, of 
the most entertaining and wholesome character, em- 
bracing articles on travel and adventure, natural 
history, serial stories, poems, games, etc., presented to 
the reader in the charming style of its famous 
editor. 

One of the attractive features of Onward was a 
department under the heading, ** Things Worth 
Thinking About," in which the editor discussed topics 
of the times, and often advocated needed reforms. 
He espoused the cause of the Indian, whom he knew 
so well, telling how shamefully he had been treated, 
and suggesting means for improving his condition. 
He strongly urged the establishment of a zoological 
garden ; and the menagerie in Central Park, New 
York, is the result, in a measure, of Mayne Reid's 
efforts. 

He advocated the stoppage of street cars at certain 
r^[ular distances, not only for the purpose of ac- 
celerating the speed, but also to prevent the terrible 
strain on the horses induced by the frequent starting 
and stopping. 

Mayne Reid also had an article on this subject in 
the New York Herald of October 11, 1869. He 
proposed that the cars should be stopped at every 
fourth block, truly claiming that the time was ** idly 
wasted by the frequent stoppings — ^little, if any, less 




than one-half the whole period required for 
or journey. It is toil to the driver, trouble to the 
conductor, discomfort to the passengers, and death to 
the horses. To the iast it is especially trying ; for on 
the iron rail it is not the pace that kills, but the oft- 
repeated starring and stopping that wring the withers 
of the dumb brute and strain every muscle of his 
body almost to breaking. ..." 

President U. S. Grant was thus defended by Mayne 
Reid in Onward, in the year 1869 : — 




" The nation will do well to suspend its judgmi 
upon a question about which its newspaper press 
been, perhaps, too querulous. We speak of the 
duct of its chief magistrate. General Grant. He has 
been accused of not being busy enough — in other 
words, that he spends his time in idle frivolities, 
neglecting the duties of his office. It is easy to make 
this accusation, and it would seem easy to support it ; 
at least, so think his accusers. For proof they point 
to his pilgrimages, and say that he should slay at 
home. But why ? Would his thoughts be any 
clearer — even with the cigar between his teeth — in 
the White House at Washington than on the beach 
at Long Branch ? Or his conceptions any more 
accurate ? Or his acts and doings better ordered ? 

" Of his sayings no one can make much, and maybe 
so much the better. And of his doings, perhaps the 
time has not yet come to make them manifest. 
But we, for our part, have a presentiment that it is 
near at hand, and \.Yia\. \bi^ s\VexA. president will soon 






", T* 



CAPTAIN MAYNE REID 179 

prove to his over-impatient people that his reticenc 
has reason, and his speech will give them all th 
more pleasure when he utters it It will be a word 
about the financial condition of the country — a word 
giving joy to some, and to all contentment Verbum 
sap:' 

In the number for July, 1869, at which time France 
''was groaning under the corrupt rule of Louis 
Napoleon/' Mayne Reid thus expressed himself: — 

" ' Give me the making of a people's songs/ says 
B^ranger, ' and I shall shape their destiny.' So also 
said Dibdin of England. Both have had their oppor- 
tunity, and both have failed. Despite the soul- 
stirring strains of B^ranger, his countrymen are 
grovelling under an ignominious despotism: while 
Dibdin's noble tar is the same old drunken sailor of 
Bugle Alley and Ratcliffe Highway. Yet for all this 
there is no braver 'son of a gun' on earth than 
that same ' Jack Tar.' So, ' Heigho for Bugle 
Alley/ say I. 

" No ; you cannot shape the destiny of a people 
with songs, nor direct it with ditties. Under a des- 
potism these will not hinder its downward course; 
and if you desire it to go upward and * onward ' there 
is but one elevator — the Republic, and one ally that 
can truly and effectually aid it — the schools 



CHAPTER XVIII 

Onward Continued— The " Purple Swallow ''—A Wonder 
fill Literary Feat — Press Notices of Onward — Last 
Words of the Editor — Reminiscences by Charles 
Ollivant — ^Failure of the Magazine 



Onward for January, 1870, contained the first part of 
a serial poem by Mayne Reid, entitled ** The Purple 
Swallow; or. Two Loves in a Life." A brief synopsis 
of this beautiful poem, or of the plot, will not be out 
of place here, especially since part of the work is still 
in unpublished manuscript. 

In the opening verses the hero relates his intense 
love for, and the angelic beauty of, his newly-wedded 
bride. On the first day of the honeymoon the bride 
meets with an accidental death, leaving the husband 
frantic with grief. 

At this point the published part of the poem ends. 
For reasons which will soon be apparent to the reader 
it was not continued. Enough was found in manu- 
script form, however, on the death of the author, to 
disclose a most original and affecting plot throughout, 
although the work was never entirely completed 

From the uu^ublished part we learn that the 



CAPTAIN MAYNE REID i8i 

bereaved husband, in his ravings, imagined that the 
purple swallow could carry messages to his lost one. 
He accordingly writes a letter addressed to her, and 
attaches it to one of the birds on its departure for the 
South in the autumn. Instead of taking the letter to 
the dead Aglae, the swallow carries it to a beautiful 
lady in Cuba. The lady replies to the missive by the 
same carrier on its return North in the spring. This 
correspondence is kept up for some time, until finally 
they meet, and thus the second love is formed. 

About fifteen hundred lines were completed. It 
should be stated that the poem was composed on 
both sides of the Atlantic, and at different periods. 
That portion relating to the death of the bride — 
Chant the Second — was written in 1846, and pub- 
lished under another title. The prologue was written 
in England in the year 1863, and reads as follows : — 

" Away o'er the waves of the rolling Atlantic, 

Afar amidst forests vierge and primeval. 
Where objects of Nature, Titanic, gigantic, 

Tell of times with the birth of our planet coeval, 
Lies the land for which ever my spirit shall long — 
A land where the mountains soar up to the snow 

From the plains that seem bounded alone by the sky — 
Where rivers resemble the ocean in flow 

In their flood, as when tempest has toss'd it on high ; 
A land to whose every-day annals belong 
Some theme, or some thought, that is worthy of song ; 
Where hearts, in the vigour of manhood rebelling, 

'Gainst counsel of sages and axioms hoary. 
Give way but to impulse ; where bosoms high swelling 

Throb wildly with visions of love or of glory ; 



i82 CAPTAIN MAYNE REID 

Where beauty illumines the lowliest dwellinif, 
As bright as the brightest recorded in story ; 

A land of loves lasting, of hates deep and strong. 
Inspiring to actions of virtue sublimey 
Disposing to deeds of the deadliest crime ; 

A land where commingle the curs'd and the blest ; 
Where the oath and the promise, the prayer and the 

wail, 
By night, as by day, may be heard on the gale. 

Ne^ I say that I speak of the Land of the West ? 
Need I tell you that there lies the scene of my tale?* 



For the first three months Mayne Reid furnished 
the entire table of contents for his magazine, with the 
exception of two or three poems and articles of prose, 
from his own prolific pen. The magnitude of this 
feat may be imagined when it is stated that the first 
number contained eighty-six ordinary magazine pages 
of reading matter, and the second ninety-four pages. 
There was great variety, too, in these initial numbers, 
fully equal to any that followed. It may well be 
doubted whether such a feat has ever been equalled 
by an editor. 

Onward received universal praise from the public 
as well as the entire press of the country. A few 
extracts from New York papers are subjoined : — 

" With its fresh look . . . and last, but not least, 
its noble ideas and enthusiasm in favour of free 
institutions, it cannot fail to win success as well as 
d^^vi^ it" 



» V 



CAPTAIN MAYNE REID 183 

'' It has the characteristic merits of its well-known 
editor, whose suggestions are generally founded on 
good sense, good morals, and an honourable philo- 
sophy." 

" It will arouse noble and intelligent emulation 
among those who must soon govern our country." 

" It is all that could be desired." 

** It has no rival in the field." 

In the last number of the magazine, an article 
appeared in the publisher's department under the 
heading, '* A Magazine Mystery," in which its faithful 
editor vainly tried to account for the failure of the 
public to support it After speaking of the time and 
money devoted to the work, this eloquent paragraph 
occurs : 

" But we can sincerely declare that the regret of 
our money loss is not near so great as that forced 
upon us by certain other considerations. In this age 
of mammon- worship, it may seem sheer hypocrisy to 
say that we would not exchange the credit of one 
good or noble deed for all the property America 
possesses. In solemnity we say it We do not make 
this boast either to defy the sneer of the plutocrat or 
court the sympathy of the humane. It is a thought 
thrown out to those for whom the teachings of Onward 
were intended — a last word thrown out to those to 
sustain them in the faith it tried to inculcate : that 
there are, even in this frivolous world, greater glories, 
and grander luxuries, than wealth can ever give. 
The richest man, if he be not a gentleman^ is but poor 



i84 CAPTAIN MAYNE REID 

in comparison with the pauper who is ; and the time 
may yet come when not only will the worid think 
him so, but he himself /f// it — if he do not now.** 

Following this were the opinions of 880 American 
journals, representing thirty-six states, all warmly in 
praise of Onward. These were published for the 
purpose of proving that the magazine had not failed 

for lack of appreciation by the press. 

• ••••■• 

The following interesting particulars, relating to 
Onwardy and the large amount of additional literary 
work performed by its editor during its publication, 
is from the pen of Charles Ollivant : 

" Sojourning at No. 33 Union Square, New York, 
during the spring of 1869, Mayne Reid spent the 
summer and fall in Lafayette Avenue, Brooklyn. 
During this period, his literary labours were of the 
most arduous character in connection with his 
magazine venture. Besides writing many articles and 
continued stories for its pages, in the month of May, 
1869, he made an engagement with Robert Bonner, 
proprietor of the New York Ledger^ to write for that 
weekly a new tale, the price of which was fixed at 
$3,000, for the right of publication in America only. 
In the midst of the heavy duties connected with the 
editorship of Onward^ this tale was written in less 
than three months — a literary feat almost without 
parallel. The title of the work was the * Free 
Lances ; a Romance of the Mexican Valley.' But 
Mr. Bonner preferred to call it * Cris Rock ; or, a 



CAPTAIN MAYNE REID 185 

Lover in Chains/ under which name it appeared in 
the Ledger ten years later. The book, however, is 
known to the reading public by the former, and 
decidedly the most appropriate, title. 

" Mayne Reid was greatly harassed and worried 
financially, finding the expenses of publishing Onward 
a very severe strain, as its sales were still compara- 
tively small, owing to the much-needed want of 
liberal advertising. All the proceeds from the * Free 
Lances' were devoted to the paper and printing of 
the magazine, with other incidental expenses which 
had to be provided for. He still, however, kept up 
a good heart, and hoped eventually to make the 
magazine a financial success. 

" Late in the autumn of 1869, Mayne Reid returned 
to New York, taking up his abode in East Eighty- fourth 
Street, where he remained throughout the winter. It 
was while residing here that he wrote another story 
for Street & Smith, proprietors of the New York 
Weekly^ the now well-known * Lone Ranch,' for which 
he was paid $2,000 for serial publication in America. 

" Previous to this the author had entirely re- 
written his * Treatise on Croquet,' which, first running 
through his magazine, he afterwards published in 
book form from his own office. He also made an 
agreement with a toy manufacturer in New York, 
named Williams, for the manufacture of the correct 
implements to play this, at that time, fashionable 
out-door game. 

"Besides the 'Lone Ranch,' Mayne Reid wrote 
this winter a boys' tale for Frank Leslie's Boy^ and 
GirU Weekly. It ran through that journal under 
the title of the ' Red Gorilla,' the scene being laid in 




i86 CAPTAIN MAYNE REID 

the gfeat Island of Borneo. This title was afterwards 
changed ; and it is now known as ' The Castaways.' 
Mr. Leslie paid tijooo for this juvenile work. These 
two sums were also swallowed up in the 
magazine. 

** However, I need oot dwell upon this painnil 
period of Mayne Reid's life. Suffice it to say that 
on the publication of the fourteenth number, for 
February, liyo, being the second number of VoL IL, 
Onivard ceased to appear. The prindpal reason for 
this &ilure was lack of funds to cany on the maga- 
zine ; for, in spite of Mayne Reid's herculean labours, 
these at last became exhausted. His health, too, 
succumbed under this terrible mental strain, and he 
was finally compelled to give up the m^azine upon 
which he had set his heart" 



CHAPTER XIX 

Invited to Lecture on Lord Byron — Invitation accepted, 
and Steinway Hall engaged — Newspapers prominently 
announce the Lecture — "Byron: As a Man, as a 
Republican, as a Poet " — New York HeraliPs Report 
of the Lecture. 

In March, 1870, Mayne Raid received an "urgent 
and honourable invitation, such as rarely greets a 
lecturer on literary topics," ^ to deliver a lecture on 
Lord Byron. The invitation — dated on the 22nd 
of the month — was signed by one hundred and 
twenty-two of the most eminent citizens of New York 
City, among the number being the venerable poet, 
William Cullen Bryant. This movement resulted 
from the appearance of a highly-popular and widely- 
quoted article in Onward written by Mayne Reid in 
defence of Byron, whose memory had been assailed 
by Mrs. Harriet Beecher Stowe, author of " Uncle 
Tom's Cabin." 

The invitation was accepted, and a committee 
engaged Steinway Hall for the gathering. The 
coming event was prominently announced by the 

* New York Home Journal. 
187 



i88 CAPTAIN MAYNE REID 

city papers, which spoke in warm terms of the late 
editor of Onward. 

**To hear such a man discourse on Byron," said 
the Sun^ *' must be a rare entertainment" 

The Herald said : 

** Captain Mayne Reid was intimate with many of 
the most intimate friends of Byron. He knew them 
in their clubs and in their most vivacious moments, 
and hence is well qualified to talk understandingly 
upon the subject The curiosity of seeing a gentle- 
man so well known in the annals of literature as 
Mayne Reid will not excel the interest that has 
accumulated around the name of Byron by the very 
remarkable developments of a few months past Let 
Mayne Reid have a royal audience." 

It was a " royal audience," indeed, in both numbers 
and intelligence, that greeted Mayne Reid on the 
evening of April i8, and listened in rapt attention 
and appreciation to an eloquent lecture (delivered 
without notes of any kind, but which had been 
previously prepared and memorised) on " Byron : As 
a Man, as a Republican, as a Poet." 

No one present on that memorable occasion will 
ever forget the pleasure he experienced in listening 
to the magnetic language of Mayne Reid, as, with all 
the fire and enthusiasm of his ardent nature, he 
delivered this remarkable lecture. On the following 
day the New York Herald published the following 
graphic report of the lecture, under the heading: 



CAPTAIN MAYNE REID 189 

*'The Illustrious Byron. Captain Mayne Reid's 
Lecture at Steinway Hall *': — 

'* A fine audience greeted Captain Ma}me Reid last 
evening at Steinway Hall to hear his lecture upon 
Lord Byron. Though it rained, the unfavourable 
weather did not prevent the gathering of a brilliant 
array of fashion and intellect, anxious at once to pay 
tribute to the revered memory of the English bard, 
and testify to the esteem and appreciation which the 
lecturer has inspired in this country, not only by his 
distinguished literary works, but by the courageous 
opposition which he so resolutely flung in the teeth 
of New England Bohemian transcendentalists. The 
venerable James W. Gerard presided, and upon the 
stage was the silvered poet Bryant, and the famous 
naturalist. Professor B. Waterhouse Hawkins. Mr. 
Gerard, in presenting Captain Mayne Reid, referred 
to the lecturer's eminent military services, the extra- 
ordinary fertility of his mind, and the rippling fluency 
of his pen. He pointed out the poor reward which 
by courtesy is styled compensation for literary 
services, to the struggles which glowing mind has 
with sordid matter, and the extraordinary ease by 
which a man can achieve fortune by servitude to 
politics, but which the lecturer had wisely neglected 
to do. Captain Mayne Reid then came forward, 
fashionably attired in light brown pants, closely- 
buttoned frock-coat, and canary kids. 

" He began his discourse by considering the 
wonderful succession of events which by turns 
heightened and darkened the history of Europe and 
America during the bloody days preceding the Reign 



igo CAPTAIN MAYNE REID 

of Terror. His address was conceived in the dramatic 
spirit, and in gesture, personal appearance, pose of 
body, a careless and therefore an artistic attitude, he 
threw animation into his delivery, and fire and 
electricity into his vigorous imagery. Metaphor 
abounded in the eloquent sentences he employed in 
speaking of the infant agonies of the young colonies, 
and his choice of language was exquisite, and the 
argument and unity of the exordium perfect 
Having considered the effect of the terrible events 
which clouded the skies of empires when Byron was 
born, he gave some account of the early years of the 
greatest poet of modern t^mes ; of the simple sur- 
roundings of his early years ; of the tender care of a 
watchful and loving mother ; the sudden stroke of 
fortune by which George Gordon Byron became a 
peer of England at the age of eleven years in 1799 ; 
of his modesty in his position of greater dignity, and 
of his youthful aptitude for poesy. 

" He then spoke of his personal character, falsely 
blackened by defamation, and meanly assailed by 
slander and calumny. He scorched and withered 
the petty maidens who were delivered of the foulest 
sensation of modern times — not by invective and 
denunciation, but — oh, how they would have felt! 
— by omission. Madame Stowe was not even 
mentioned. 

" He then considered how Lord Byron had exposed 
the hollowness, falsity, and humbuggery of modern 
society ; bow he bled the literary men of their 
thunder by applying the sharp lancet of his satire ; 
how he offended nations — England, Austria, Russia, 
Portugal, Ua\y, aud Gdeact— aad therefore stood 



CAPTAIN MAYNE REID 191 

against mankind solitary and alone. He gave the 
memory of that poetical toady and educated parasite, 
Tom Moore, a few grains of intellectual arsenic, for 
having been so treacherous to the memory of his 
great peer ; for seconding lies, and allowing the char- 
acter of a man who had bequeathed him the most 
honoured task of his life to be cheap in the mouths 
of his foul traducers. Moore, who sought the halls 
and the society of the great, had been borne to his 
grave in a hired hearse without a titled mourner. He 
gave this faithless and wicked biographer of Byron a 
deserved rebuke for a breach of trust second only to 
the outrageous meanness which made Griswold, as 
Poe's executor, an infamous knave. The separation 
between Byron and his wife was to save an estate 
from the bailiff, and Moore's destruction of the 
' Memoirs ' was influenced by money ; it had about 
it the clink of gold. 

" Of Lord Byron's generosity, nobility, manliness, 
modesty, outspoken manner, the lecturer discoursed 
eloquently, and was loudly applauded. He entered 
into no critical analysis of his works, but read 
copiously from their splendid catalogue. * There was 
a sound of revelry by night ' was executed with 
feeling and poetic fervour; but * Manfred' was the 
best — the moody cynic standing on the Jungfrau 
Mountain, about to take the final leap. The 
grandeur of thought and the exalted expression can 
be pictured by no living tongue, but as far as this 
masterpiece of tragedy can be rendered, the portrayal 
of Captain Mayne Reid was superior. He recited 
from various poems, and closed with Byron's famous 
* Stanzas on the Ocean.' " 



CHAPTER XX 

Critical Illness — Case pronoanced Hopeless — Removal to 
St Luke's Hospital^Communlcatioii to the Sttn — 
Preparations for his Funeral — Obituary Notice 
prepared — ^Marvellous Recovery — Interviewed by a 
Lady Correspondent — ^A Relapse — Gradual Recoveiy 
— Removal from the Hospital — Melancholia — Amusing 
Incident — Physician advises a Voyage to Europe — 
Low State of his Finances — Generous Assistance of 
Friends — Final Farewell to America. 

Shortly after delivering his lecture upon Lord 
Byron, Mayne Reid changed his residence from 
Eighty-fourth to West Twenty-fourth Street He 
had scarce got comfortably settled there before the in- 
disposition which had been hanging over him for some 
time past resolved itself into an illness of the deadliest 
character, which bade fair, ere long, to remove him to 
another world. 

The complaint resolved itself in the suppura- 
tion of the gun-shot wound he received in the 
left leg, above the knee, at the storming of Chapul- 
tepee, during the Mexican War in 1847. This 
wound had given him trouble ever since that early 
period of his life ; while for the last five or six ytaxs 



CAPTAIN MAYNE REID 193 

the leg in the region of the wound had been gradually 
swelling, until it now formed a huge excrescence on 
the thigh which baffled the best medical skill to 
diagnose and treat. 

" Dr. Wm. Argyle Watson, formerly surgeon in the 
U. S. Navy, and who had been wounded at the time of 
the Crimean War, was. strangely enough living in the 
same house in which Captain Mayne Reid had taken 
rooms, and, more odd still. Dr. Watson had known 
Mayne Reid when the latter was at Newport, Rhode 
Island, in the year 1848. Dr. Watson now devoted 
his medical skill and gave his services gratuitously to 
the author. He also called in the aid of Dr. Van 
Buren, a distinguished physician, who unhesitatingly 
pronounced the case of Mayne Reid a hopeless one, 
deeming the prolongation of life only a matter of a 
few weeks at most. Mayne Reid daily grew weaker, 
the wound, which was kept constantly poulticed and 
bandaged, running freely. His appetite finally failed 
him, milk forming his sole aliment and support, a jug 
being always kept at his bedside. His wife was in 
constant attendance, and had all the dressings of the 
wound to attend to. The weather at the time being 
intensely hot, the malady gradually developed more 
dangerous symptoms, and as the patient could no 
longer be attended to in private apartments, it was 
resolved to remove him to St. Luke's Hospital — Dr. 
Watson superintending the removal, which took place 
at the end of June on an excessively hot day. On his 



194 CAPTAIN MAYNE REID 

arrival at the hospital the patient was first taken to 
one of the single beds in the large public ward He 
only remained in this room for a few days, when he 
was removed into a private room. 

This change was effected by the liberality of 
Benjamin Field, of Cortlandt de P. Field & Ca, 
New York, who gave particular instructions to Dr. 
Muhlenburg, manager of the hospital, that Ma}me 

Reid should receive every care and attention, and 
depositing with him a sum of money for the present 
necessities, and holding himself responsible for all 
further expenses incurred. He also engaged an 
attendant to wait upon him night and day. 

The annual celebration of Independence Day found 
Mayne Reid lying on a bed of suffering — greatiy 
aggravated by the numerous noises near the hospital, 
incidental to the day. They brought from his per- 
turbed spirit a strong remonstrance in the form of a 
letter to the New York Sun, published July 7, a 
rather remarkable epistle, coming from an invalid 
prostrated as Mayne Reid was then. It was written 
with all his old spirit, and bore the heading, " Captain 
Mayne Reid*s Fourth. How Dying Men in Hospital 
Suffer from Fourth of July Celebrations." The letter 
was as follows : — 



" To the Editor of the Sun. 

'' Sir, — I have been for some days an inmate of this 
hospital) a sufferer from a severe and dangerous 



-#' 



CAPTAIN MAYNE REID 195 

malady. To save my life calls for the highest 
surgical skill, along with a combination of the most 
favourable circumstances, among them quiet And 
yet during the whole of yesterday and part of the day 
before (the Lord's Day), the air around me has been 
resonant with what, in the bitterness of my spirit, I 
pronounce a/^ cCenfer. It has resembled an almost 
continuous fusilade of small arms, at intervals varied 
by a report like the bursting of a bombshell or the 
discharge of a cannon. I am told that this infernal 
fracas proceeds from a row of dwelling-houses in front 
of the hospital, and that it is caused by the occupants 
of these dwellings or their children. 

" Accustomed in early life to the roar of artillery, 
my nerves are not easily excited by concussive sounds; 
and, therefore, I have not seriously been affected by 
them. But, alas I how different with scores of my 
fellow-sufferers in the hospital, beside the couch of 
many of whom Death stands waiting for his victim. 
I am informed by my nurses — intelligent and ex- 
perienced men — that they have known several cases 
where death has not only been hastened but actually 
caused by the nervous startings and torture inflicted 
by these Fourth of July exhibitions. I have been 
also informed that the venerable and philanthropic 
founder of this valuable institution has done all in his 
power to have this cruel infliction stayed — even by 
personal appeal to the inhabitants of the houses in 
question ; and that he has been met by refusal, and 
the reply, * We have a right to do as we please on our 
own premises!' I need not point out the utter falsity 
of this assumed view of civic rights ; but I would 
lemark that the man who, even undts \bit ^axicVx^tw <jl 



196 CAPTAIN MAYNE REID 

long custom and the pretence of country's love, 
permits his children, through mere wanton sport, to 
murder annually one or more of his fellow-dtizens — 
I say that such a man is not likely to make out of 
those children citizens who will be distinguished either 
for their patriotism or humanity. 

*' In the name of humanity, I ask you, sir, to call 
public attention to this great cruelty, and, if possible, 
have it discontinued. 

" Yours very truly, 

""Mayne Reid. 

" St. Luke's Hospital, /«^ 5, iS/a** 

One of the hospital surgeons suggested that Mayne 
Reid's wounded leg should be amputated above the 
knee, and the newspapers, hearing of this, commented 
upon the proposed dangerous operation. In an 
article on the subject, the Sun had this to say : — 

" We earnestly hope that he may come safely out 
of the ordeal. Apart from the literary distinction 
which he has acquired, Captain Reid is a gentleman 
of generous and chivalric nature, a man of fine 
qualities both of heart and head. His loss would be 
deeply felt in both hemispheres." 

The operation was not performed, as it was found, 
on careful examination, that the poisonous blood 
proceeding from it would render such an amputation 
of no avail — even if the patient could survive the 
operation. 



CAPTAIN MAYNE REID 197 

Meantime, the wound continued to discharge, for- 
tunately, however, in lessened degree, and the patient 
seemed to be in. a fair way of recovery, when he was 
attacked by diarrhoea. Medical skill seemed of no 
avail, and life was fast ebbing away. 

About the 17th of the month, the head surgeon 
took Mr. OUivant aside, and informed him that Mayne 
Reid's friends should be communicated with at once ; 
" for in this tropical weather," said the surgeon, " the 
body can only be kept for a few hours on ice." 

Thus advised, Mr. Ollivant saw the necessity of 
prompt action. He therefore hastened to the nearest 
telegraph office, and sent the following message to 
Mayne Reid's friend, the wealthy banker, Le Grand 
Lockwood : 

** Captain Mayne Reid is dying ! " 

Early next morning, a gentleman from Mr. Lock- 
wood's bank called at the hospital to make all 
necessary arrangements for Mayne Reid's funeral. 
At the suggestion of this gentleman, Mr. Ollivant 
procured a black dress suit' from the author's ward- 
robe, and took it to the hospital. Then he wrote on 
slips of paper, ready to send to the newspapers : — 

"On the — inst, at St Luke's Hospital, Captain 
Mayne Reid, author, in his 5 3rd year." 

^ A corpse is buried in its wearing apparel in the United 
States, 



198 CAPTAIN MAYNE REID 

For three days M^yne Reid lay in a semi-comatose 
condition, lingering on the border-land between life 
and death. To all intents and purposes he was 
dying, the last mortal signs of disruption and decay 
being visible on every lineament of his face. He had» 
besides, the hiccough very badly, its jerking gasps 
choking nearly every breath he drew. His mind 
wandered, though, strangely enough, he appeared to 
rec(^nise his wife and Mr. Ollivant, who were con- 
stantly by his bedside during this sad time: 

One morning a singular change was perceived in 
his condition. The hiccough had ceased, and his 
reason seemed fully restored, and he gradually began 
to mend. He very soon insisted upon leaving his 
bed and dressing himself in his clothes, which hung 
upon him so loosely, it seemed as though they only 
contained a " clothes-prop" instead of a human figfure ! 

From this date Mayne Reid's recovery was 
marvellous. The wonderful vitality and recuperatix'e 
powers which he displayed amazed his medical 
attendants, who now began to entertain hopes of his 
ultimate recovery — provided he had no further re- 
lapse. But they were not at all sanguine on this 
score ; and their doubts were destined ere long to be 
amply verified. 

• •••••• 

' On the 9th of August, Mayne Reid continuing to 
improve, a lady correspondent of the Cincinnati 
Comtmrdal (Miss Laura Ream) was allowed to see 



CAPTAIN MAYNE REID 199 

him, for the purpose of an interview. The result of 
her visit was published in the Commercial^ August 
24, under the heading, "A Hoosier Adrift." The 
following are extracts from her letter : — 

" My sympathies were enlisted, too, for the brave 
fellow who has been languishing in St. Luke's 
Hospital. ... To find my way, then, to the hospital 
seemed a part of my pleasure in New York. The 
gate shut me in with a clang, and I walked up to the 
main building with, I confess, no little trepidation at 
my boldness. In answer to the request 'to see 
Captain Mayne Reid,' I was conducted through a 
broad hall into a long ward furnished with an infinite 
number of low, narrow cots, that looked too small for 
any practical purpose. A turn through a short hall, 
and what appeared to be an apothecary's closet, brought 
us to the private room of the author. He was lying 
upon a bedstead (similar to those in the ward) which 
was placed in the centre of the apartment As he 
turned his head and raised himself upon his elbow to 
address me, he presented the view of a middle-aged, 
sturdy-looking English squire. 

'' The head is compact, and covered with a profusion 
of dark brown hair, which, in contrast with the pallid 
complexion, stood out as if it had no part and parcel 
with the corpse-like whiteness of the scalp. The 
brow was smooth and fair, rounded out to gigantic 
proportions by ideality, casuality, and reverence. 
The nose, nervous and scornful, would have been 
remarkable but for the large and beautiful eyes, that 
are restless habitually ; but when fixed upon an object 



200 CAPTAIN MAYNE REID 

have a lancinating effect, and withal an expression of 
great good heart, that is seconded by one of the 
most winning smiles I ever beheld. Hands of 
uncommon grace and beauty somehow complete the 
charm of his lips and eyes. 

" My pen is cold and feeble to convey the spirit of 
Captain M^yne Reid's conversation. He certainly 
possesses all the grace of gesticulation, animated 
voice, and mesmeric power to ensure a success as a 
lecturer. 

" As we talked, the air coming fresh through the 
open window, laden with the murmur of leaves and 
twitter of swallows, a light, even step was heard 
approaching, and a lady came forward, pausing on 
the threshold. Oh, but she was fair ! with her golden 
hair caught up under an azure fanchon of satin, and 
falling in soft ripples over her forehead. There was 
an expression of firmness in her calm blue eyes which 
gave character to the face of infantile shape and 
loveliness. From her face my eye wandered to her 
figure, struck with admiration at her graceful pose — 
an accomplishment few women possess. They dance 
and sometimes walk well, but they rarely know how 
to stand still. Her gown, I observed, was white, with 
an overdress or wrap of blue, admirably suited to her 
peculiar style of beauty. 

" * My wife,' said the invalid, and as he explained 
that I called because I had read his books, she smiled 
and extended her hand. The smile was like sunshine, 
and the clasp of her soft, cool hand a positive luxury. 
The clear and musical voice was in keeping with her 
beautiful self, and I loitered for a moment to gather 
a full impression oi \.Vve sc^w^ " 



CAPTAIN MAYNE REID 201 

A few days after this " interview " a serious relapse 
took place ; and the condition of Mayne Reid was 
more hopeless than before. Everything was again 
prepared for his interment, and telegrams sent to all 
his friends. His wife was summoned, and was 
allowed to remain at the hospital during the night, 
being told by the doctor that any minute might be 
her husband's last He had been lying in an uncon- 
scious state for the past three days, all the signs of 
approaching dissolution being present About eight 
o'clock on the morning of the nth he rallied con- 
siderably. The doctors and two of the lady nurses 
were around his bed, when he suddenly raised himself 
up, exclaiming in a strong voice : " Turn those she- 
Beelzebubs," pointing to the two ladies, " out of the 
room at once, preaching at a fellow, and telling him 
he's going to die. I'm not going to die. Bring me a 
beef-steak." 

Everyone was astounded, the poor chaplain being 
nearly frightened out of his wits. The beef-steak 
was speedily brought in, and the patient made a feint 
of eating a portion. 

On the loth of September, being sufficiently con- 
valescent to bear removal from the hospital, Mayne 
Reid was taken to his old apartments in West Twenty- 
fourth Street He was still very weak, but able to walk 
for a short distance at a time. While his physical 
health thus bade fair to be gradually restored, the 
terrible struggles he had passed through had left him 



303 CAPTAIN MAYNE REID 

suffering from a malignant form of melancholia. All 
this was most trying to his wife, who never left her 
husband's side — ^night or day — as he imagined 
something dreadful would happen to him if his wife 
was absent 

He would now take singular fancies into his head. 
One of these was a determination to ascertain daily 
by his increase in flesh whether he was gaining in 
health and strength — hence he would insist upon 
being weighed every day I This was laughable in 
the extreme, but done it must be, and this strange 
fancy for getting himself weighed continued for some 
years after. 

One occasion of this kind occurred at the Fifth 
Avenue Hotel, which abuts on West Twenty-fourth 
Street The scales of the weighing machine told him 
that he had actually added three pounds to his weight 
of the previous day. This, Mr. Ollivant says, he knew 
could not be, and he expressed his doubts as to the 
accuracy of the machine. This irritated Mayne Reid, 
who had been much pleased to think that he had 
gained three pounds ; but his irritation was changed 
to mortification when he suddenly put his hand into 
the tail pocket of his frock-coat and pulled out a 
parcel of hardware, weighing quite three pounds, 
which he had a short time before purchased, and 
slipping into his pocket, had forgotten its existence. 

This incident amused Mr. Ollivant so much that 
he could not resist giving way to laughter, which 



CAPTAIN MAYNE REID 203 

highly ofTended the author, and it was several hours 
before his equanimity was fully restored and his 
friend forgiven. 

No improvement taking place in the mind of 
Mayne Reid — instead, his delusions daily increased — 
a consultation was held by the doctors, who gave 
it as their opinion that the only chance for Mayne 
Reid's restoration was to return to his native land ; 
and the sea voyage might have a beneficial effect 
upon him. 

They told Mrs. Reid privately that if her husband 
remained any longer in the States, he would end his 
days in a lunatic asylum. 

It required some tact and persuasion to get Mayne 
Reid's consent to go home to Ireland. He naturally 
shrank from returning to England, or his home, in 
his then altered circumstances. 

His wife wrote to the brother in Ireland, who then 
occupied the old homestead, of Mayne's serious 
condition, and that they would shortly sail for home. 

But to accomplish this, funds were necessary; as 
it will be readily understood that the failure of Mayne 
Reid's magazine, closely followed by his long illness, 
had left him penniless, and he was now unable to do 
any work at all. Under these circumstances it was 
suggested by Dr. Watson to draw up a paper repre- 
senting these facts, and Charles Ollivant undertook to 
call upon all the friends of the author in New York 
for the purpose of raising the needed money. 



204 CAPTAIN MAYNE REID 

The result of these praiseworthy efforts was the 
collection of over six hundred dollars in a brief time. 
The names of the gentlemen who so generously con- 
tributed to Mayne Reid's assistance at this time are 
as follows : — 



Le Grand Lockwood. 
Cortlandt de P. Field & Ca 
John W. Hamersley. 
Dudley Field. 

Major-General Joseph Hooker. 
James W. Gerard. 
Robert Bonner. 



J. Watts de Peyster. 
James W. Beekman. 
William Cullen Bryant 
Judge Charles P. Daly. 
L. B. Stone, 
Theodore Roosevddt. 



This sum was handed to Mayne Reid's wife, as 
she had now to keep the purse, and assume all 
responsibilities. 

First-class cabin passage was secured on the 
S.S. Siberia^ Cunarder, Mayne Reid having a 
particular desire to sail with Captain Harrison ; and 
he finally embarked with his wife on board the 
Siberia, homeward bound. 

This was Mayne Reid's last visit to the country of 
his adoption, and in whose cause he had shed his 
blood and earned for himself the laurels of war. 



^*^, 



CHAPTER XXI 

« 

Mrs. Elizabeth Reid's Account of the Homeward Voyage 
Arrival in England — Visits Ireland without Benefit — 
Goes to a Hydropathic Establishment in England — 
Returns to London for Medical Advice — Happy Result 
— Extract from a Letter — Resumes Literary Work — ^A 
Stirring Political Speech — Powers of Oratory — Asked 
to Explore the Gulf of California — A Proposition from 
P. T. Bamum — Again Confined to his Bed — Funeral 
Arrangements — ^A "Resurrection" — A Cripple for 
Life — Literary Work — Removes to Another Locality — 
Daily Ramble in a Bath-Chair. 

" The events of that memorable homeward voyage 
of my husband and self, in October of 1870, and the 
subsequent events immediately following, will never 
be erased from the memory of the writer of these 
lines. 

'' Charles Ollivant and our good friend, Dr. William 
Argyle Watson, of New York, accompanied us on 
board the steamer ; the latter gave my husband in 
charge of the ship's doctor, * Spence,' telling him all 
the particulars of Mayne Raid's then state of mind 
and body, and that he required watching. 

"The farewells were taken — our friend Charles 
Ollivant was remaining in New York — and shortly 

20$ 



2o6 CAPTAIN MAYNE REID 

after the last hand-grasp we were leaving its shores 
behind us." 

Mr. Ollivant thus feelingly refers to this farewell : — 

''The date of sailing was October 22. How 
well I remember my farewell greeting on the deck of 
the steamer! I did not myself return to England 
then, being determined to push my fortunes in the 
West, for I loved America as well as Majme Rdd 
did, and he no longer needed my services as secretary. 
The parting was a sad one, for I did not know when 
we should meet again. 

"As I stood upon the wharf and watched the 
vessel slowly receding in the distance, my grief 
seemed more than I could bear, and I felt that I was 
alone indeed." 

" There was something weird in the fact that this 
particular steamship carried only my husband and 
self and one other man as cabin passengers. The 
Siberia had come from Boston, and was late in her 
arrival at the port of New York. On this account 
her intending passengers had sailed in a previous 
ship. 

'' And from the kindness which my husband and 
self received, we might have been supposed to have 
chartered the whole ship. Even my little Mexican 
poodle, *Tottie,' was allowed to accompany her 
mistress, though it is against the rules to carry dogs 
on the Cunarders. We were given a cabin on deck, 
and by Captain Harrison's orders the doctor and first 
officer were allowed to have sleeping cabins opposite 



CAPTAIN MAYNE RE ID 207 

to our owtiy as my husband suffered from strange 
delusions, and was not responsible for his actions." 

To a stranger there must have been something 
pathetic in the sight of a fragile young woman having 
the sole responsibility on her shoulders of a husband 
so dependent upon her as was Mayne Reid at that 
time, and for some period subsequent 

** After a stormy voyage we at length arrived at 
Queenstown Harbour, where it had been our intention 
to debark, as being nearer to our goal. But the 
elements were against us, so we proceeded on to 
Liverpool. But here the sea was so rough at the bar 
that the tender could not be got alongside the ship. 
After futile efforts, finding it impracticable, the first 
officer lifted me in his arms, jumping overboard on to 
the tender. A sailor performed the same office for 
my husband and the other passenger. Tottie, of 
course, was included. 

** The following day we re*embarked on board a 
steamer from Liverpool to Belfast 

"The voyage had done Mayne Reid some little 
good, but he was like a child, not fit to walk alone. 
And now once more he set foot on the shores of his 
native land — his home. But no welcome awaited 
the man returning bankrupt in health and pocket, 
such as had been accorded to the hero fresh from the 
wounds of war I 

" The old homestead where Mayne Reid was bom 
still remained, but how changed its inmates I That 



2o8 CAPTAIN MAYNE REID 

old homestead has now vanished, and a new edifice 
of modem structure stands in its stead. 

^During our brief sojourn in Ireland — ^for the 
unrest of Mayne Reld's spirit required constant 
change — we were hospitably entertained at the house 
of my husband's brother-in-law, the Rev. T. Cromie, 
of Arms^h. And here Mayne Reid was advised to 
try the Water Cure Establishment of Smedle/s, at 
Matlock, Derbyshire. So once more we embarked 
on a stormy sea. Mayne Reid ' beheld the hills of 
his native land sink behind the black waves^' and 
never did see them again. 

"We had arrived in Ireland in November, 1870, 
and the following month found us at Smedley's 
Asylum, for I can call it by no other name as it then 
existed, at Matlock, Derbyshire. 

" Never can I forget the feelings of dismay, almost 
of terror, which took possession of my senses, as well 
as those of my invalid husband, on our first entry 
into Smedley's Hydro on that dark December day. 
* All hope abandon ye who enter here ' seemed to be 
written on its portal. 

"The room allotted to us contained two hard- 
looking, uninviting couches, on which we were 
supposed to seek repose. Two wooden chairs, and a 
sofa covered in black, a deal dressing-table, wash- 
stand, and chest of drawers composed the furniture, 
while the fireplace was utterly black, being a kind of 
stove, with no fire visible. There was no bell in the 
room, such a thing being considered superfluous. 

"Watching the look of dismay on my husband's 
face as his gaze rested on the funereal-looking sofa, I 
endeavoured to ap^^x cVvsetfuL 



CAPTAIN MAYNE REID 209 

^ Passing out of the dining-hall after dinner into the 
adjoining room, we saw some of our fellow-companions 
reclining on couches, each with a pillow over the 
region of the stomach. This was supposed to be an 
aid to digestion. The walls and doors were adorned 
with various texts, and in large letters was written : 
' The word ^ crisis " is not allowed to be spoken of 
during meals.' 

^ Mayne Reid turned a questioning and despairing 
look upon some of his fellow-sufferers. 

" * If s the Inquisition, where we are tortured on the 
rack, and our flesh mortified I ' murmured a voice in 
his ear. 

** On retiring to our room, we were told that we could 
not have our little dog in the/ establishment.' She 
must be ' boarded out' I tried to be brave over this 
matter, and allowed myself to part with little Tottie, 
the most diminutive specimen of her kind, and who 
had never been parted from me since she was a fort- 
night old. But, seeing my distress, my husband 
regained somewhat of his old courage, and flinging 
on his overcoat, said to me : 

" ' Come along, dear, we will fetch Tottie back ; I 
won't submit to be bullied in this manner I ' So we 
trudged through the snow, and carried back the little 
creature in triumph. The woman who was taking 
charge of the dog told us that she refused to eat or 
drink anything at all, and the joy expressed by Tottie 
at seeing my face again was quite human-like. 

" The following day we resolved upon leaving Smed- 
le/s, having been told of a much more cheerful and 
civilised * Hydro ' — Matlock House — higher up on 
the hilL We spent nine weeks at this latter place^ 



2IO CAPTAIN MAYNE REID 

receiving every kindness from its proprietors. But 
Mayne Reid was deriving no benefit His delusions 
still continued. He fancied that he could not even 
sign his name, and all his correspondence devolved 
upon myself. 

** Our funds were getting exhausted, and my hus- 
band's health no better, so at last I prevailed upon 
him to let us depart from Derb)rshire, and go up to 
London to see Dr. Russell Reynolds, whom I had 
been advised to consult about my husband. Mayne 
said to me that he dared ' not take the journey,' but 
I laughed away his fears, although I had to hold 
on to his coat-tails during the railway journey to 
London, for he would insist upon opening the carriage 
door and sitting on the step, as he declared he must 
jump out Tottie meanwhile was barking her disap- 
proval of her master's behaviour." 

Dr. Reynolds advised Mayne Reid to try and work 
his brain a little every day, and not to give way to 
fancies ; also he recommended plenty of good nour- 
ishment to feed the brain, with the result that very 
shortly that brain, which had been so sadly clouded, 
awoke to energy, and Mayne Reid resumed the pen 
with somewhat of his old fire. He may be said to have 
arisen, like the phoenix, " out of its own ashes," and 
Fortune once more smiled on him, and the Fates were 
kind; and though still often suffering much from 
depression, he gradually regained health. 

" My long illness, while it rendered me helpless as 
a child, has left me unscathed mentally, and with my 



CAPTAIN MAYNE REID 211 

now rapidly-growing physical strength, I take up my 
pen with a zest which I never expected again would 
control me," was what Mayne Reid wrote to Charles 
Ollivant, who was then still in America. 

After writing some short articles for Cassell's 
Illustrated Travels, the author revised the " Finger of 
Fate " and the " Lone Ranch," both of which were 
published in two volumes by Chapman & Hall, 
London. The latter novel was first written by Mayne 
Reid in New York, as before-mentioned. 

In May, 1872, Mayne Reid commenced a new 
romance, which he called the " Death Shot" This 
finally appeared in the Penny Illustrated Paper^ 
speedily increasing the circulation of that journal. 
Later it was published in three volumes by Chap- 
man & Hall, London, also by Beadle & Adams, New 
York, in the Saturday Journal. Fun thus favour- 
ably noticed the appearance of the work, and the 
continued ability of the author : — 

" A novel from the wonder-working pen of Captain 
Mayne Reid has been a rare treat of late years. We 
are therefore delighted to welcome, in orthodox 
three-volume form, the stirring story of the * Death 
Shot,* which lacks none of the old energy and 
picturesque attractiveness that have made his name a 
household word." 

The "Lone Ranch" was next entirely rewritten 
making it a much longer story. This was ^ublvslx^d 



212 CAPTAIN MAYNE REID 

in the Penny lUustraUd Paper under the title of 
" Adela." 

In January, 1873, Mayne Reid went to Boston, 
Lincolnshire, to make a political speech in support of 
the candidature of his friend, Mr. Ingram, proprietor 
of the lUustraied Ltmdcn News. A great Liberal 
meeting was held in the Com Exchange, where the 
author made a stirring address, creating great en- 
thusiasm. At the close a man of influence rushed 
forward, and grasping the speaker by the hand, 
exclaimed : " Captain Reid, you are not a man, you 
are a god ! " It may be added that Mr. Ingram was 
elected. 

Contrary to the general rule among literary men, 
Mayne Raid possessed rare powers of oratory ; the 
few occasions on which he occupied the platform gave 
proof of this. He could speak for hours at a time 
with untiring energy, his favourite subject being 
poh'tics. The language from his tongue flowed facile 
as that from his pen. He would often astonish his 
listeners by his eloquence in support of his unwaver- 
ing faith in the superiority of Republican over 
Monarchical institutions. Sometimes he came across 
a Tory, equally ardent, and then the " fur would fly." 
But Mayne Reid, by his great charm of manner, 
rarely gave offence on such occasions, but was, as a 
rule, listened to with good nature by both sides. 
Oflen, while in the height of a very warm discussion, 
he would suddetdy change the theme, dropping at 



CAPTAIN MAYNE REID 213 

once from the sublime to the ridiculous with such 
ease that it was difficult for his audience to tell 
whether he had really been in earnest Had Mayne 
Reid chosen, he might have become as famous for 
oratory as he was for writing entertaining and 
instructive books. 

In 1873, Mayne Reid was preparing a new romance, 
entitled the " Flag of Distress/' to be published in 
Chamber^ s Journal. 

A proposition was made to Mayne Reid in the 
year 1873 ^X parties who desired him to write a new 
book, to go to Mexico and explore the Gulf of 
California. The projectors of this scheme made him 
a handsome offer, but he replied : " It is not enough 
to tempt me in the face of present prospects here." 

Many who now learn of this proposed exploration 
will sincerely regret that the offer was not accepted, 
for a book relating to this remote and almost unknown 
territory, its inhabitants, and its fauna and flora, by 
the observing and truthful pen of Mayne Reid, would 
have been a treat indeed. 

About this time the author wrote to a friend : " I am 
now in the middle of a negotiation that, if successful, 
will be of great service to me — perhaps give me a 
small income for life, and for my dear wife when I 
die. I am trying to repurchase the copyrights of my 
novels." In this he was successful, being enabled in 
December, 1873, and the following June, to repurchase 
the copyrights of most of his works. 



214 CAPTAIN MAYNE REID 

Mayne Rdd had for some time contemplated the 
dramatisation of all his works then written. Hearing 
of this intention, P. T. Bamum, the g^reat showman, 
called upon him and negqtiaitcd for the rig^t to 
produce the playa Soon after, the following 
announcement appeared in London newspapers : — 

'^Captain Mayne Reid is about to enter upon a 
new field of literature — ^the drama. Mr. Bamum, the 
American entrepreneur, has engs^ed him to write a 
series of plays founded on his own novels, to be pro- 
duced simultaneously on the British and American 
stages. Two of them already written have been pro- 
nounced by critics to be equal in dramatic power to 
any on the modern stage, while superior in picturesque 
effect 

" Let there be no more wailing amongst managers, 
no more weeping amongst the star actors, and no 
more gnashing of teeth amongst the critics over the 
difficulty of obtaining good new plays nowadays 
Let there never again be an echo of the stupid cry 
over the degeneracy of the contemporary drama. A 
prophet has arisen in our midst, and the long-lookcd- 
for miracle is at last to be wrought Mr. P. T. 
Barnum has stepped forth to the rescue, and all will 
now be well. The regeneration of the drama d la 
Boucicault is now to be accomplished. It is im- 
possible to doubt it for here are the words of the 
marvel-worker himself: 

" * I have succeeded in engaging Captain Mayne 
Reid to write a series of plays, founded on his own 
novels, to be ptodMc^d simultaneously in England 



CAPTAIN MAYNE REID 215 

and the United States. Captain Reid's picturesque 
romances are equally popular on both sides of the 
Atlantic ; millions have read them, and few without 
feeling intense interest in the scenes and characters 
he has created. Having secured the exclusive right 
for the representation of these plays, I offer them to 
English mans^ers and actors for the British stage, 
retaining to myself their production on that of 
America.' " 

The "Wild Huntress" and the " Maroon '' were 
ready for the stage, having been prepared some time 
before. But this contract with T. P. Barnum was 

never carried out 

In the latter part of 1874, Chapman & Hall 
published a revision of the " Death Shot," in three 
volumes. In the preface, dated Great Malvern, 
September, 1874, the author said he had " remodelled 
— almost rewritten it It is the same story, but, as 
he hopes and believes, better told." 

The autumn of 1874 had been spent by Mayne 
Reid and his wife at Malvern, and in South Wales. 
Just after their return to Wimpole Street, London, 
on October 3, the author was again confined to his 
bed. This time an abscess attacked the knee of the 
wounded leg. Blood-poisoning rapidly followed, and 
the doctors in attendance gave up all hope of the 
patient's recovery. Once more arrangements were 
made for the burial of Mayne Reid, and the place of 
interment selected. Again reports of his death were 



2i6 CAPTAIN MAYNE REID 

circulated, but, greatly to the astonishment of all, he 
suddenly rallied from the death stupor. So marvel- 
lous was this rally that the doctors said he had 
experienced quite a ** resurrection I " 

But his recovery was slow ; for nearly six months 
he lay on his bed, and when he finally arose was a 
crippU far life^ never thereafter being able to walk 
without the aid of crutches. Few ever survive such 
a trial as Mayne Reid underwent at this time. Two 
trained nurses, in addition to the constant presence 
of his wife — whom, as when in New York, he dreaded 
to have out of his sight — were in attendance night 
and day. 

During his convalescence, Mayne Reid wrote to a 
friend, " The terrible New York suffering was naught 
to what I have gone, and am going, through now.** 
By December he was able to be propped up in bed, 
and to do a little writing. He had several serious 
relapses after this, however, and his life seemed to 
hang in a balance. 

During the latter part of his long confinement, 
the author wrote an article on " Nursing Sisters," 
with whom he had become so practically acquainted. 
This was published in Chamber^s Journal. For 
London Society he wrote a short story, entitled " The 
Pierced Heart " ; " Yachting on Ice," for the Sport- 
ing and Drafnatic NewSy and several other short 
sketches. Besides this work, he corrected his new 
romance, " The Flaig of Distress," before mentioned, 



• "^■I-I 



CAPTAIN MAYNE RE ID 217 

for Chamber^s Journal^ in which publication it was 
commenced August, 1875. All this evinced the 
wonderful vitality and energy possessed by the 
author. 

The delay in the publication of "The Flag of 
Distress" was not entirely owing to the author's 
illness. When the manuscript, consisting of 1,200 
pages of foolscap, was first sent to Chambers's Journal^ 
the printers were unable to read it! It was then 
copied by Charles Ollivant, who completed the task 
in six weeks, working at it during his spare time 
from regular duties. On publication of the work in 
volume form, Mayne Reid dedicated the book to 
Charles Ollivant ''as a souvenir of friendship and 
esteem." 

Among other interesting pen-pictures in this 
romance are vivid sketches of Californian life in the 
exciting days of the gold fever. The sum of three 
hundred guineas was paid the author for the right of 
serial publication in Chamber^s JoumaL Of this 
book Dr. Chambers wrote : " I consider * Harry 
Blew ' the finest character you have drawn." 

In March, 1875, Mayne Reid was sufficiently 
strong to bear removal to another locality in London 
— Maida Hill. Soon afterwards, he enjoyed daily 
rambles in a bath-chair. He objected to being 
wheeled in Kensington Gardens, always preferring 
Regent and Bond Streets, where he could do some 
shopping occasionally, and buy himself a new " rig- 



2i8 CAPTAIN MAYNE REID 

oat," as he called it From tias it will be seen that 
Hayne Rdd was again recovering both health and 
spirits. 

The author had now on hand several good offers 
for his pen, but he was not yet in a condition to 
undertake any new and extenuve work. While 
gainii^ strength, however, he rewrote " The Finger 
of Fate," adding materially to its size and interest 
This book, one of the latest of Captain Mayne Reid's 
posthumous works, is now issued in a handsome one 
volume illustrated edition, published by James 
Bowden, London. 



CHAPTER XXII 

Returns to Rural Life — Settles near the Town of Ross, 
Herefordshire — Writes another Novel of English Life 
— Correspondence Concerning a Priest — Defends the 
Game Laws — Leaves " Chasewood " for " Frogmore *' 
— His Description of "Frogmore" — Too Delighted to 
Write. 

Having recovered his health, Mayne Reid once more 
longed for green fields and country life ; and early in 
September, 1875, he and his wife were settled in 
Herefordshire, four miles from the town of Ross, 
amid the picturesque scenery of the Wye River. 
For a short period they rented a furnished cotts^e, 
known as " Chasewood," standing on the main road 
facing the Welsh mountains in the distance. 

In this new location Mayne Reid seemed to regain 
much of his old vigour. He spent a great deal of 
his time in driving about in an open phaeton, fre- 
quently making long excursions of twenty and thirty 
miles. In this way he became acquainted with all 
the places of note in the surrounding country. This 
inspired him to write a second novel of English life, 

and he finally produced the romantic tale of " Gwen 
' 219 



220 CAPTAIN MAYNE REID 

Wynn" the scene of which is laid in the valley of the 
Wye River. 

" Gwen Wynn " was a popular romance. " It fur- 
nishes proof/' says the Scottish Leader^ *' that the author 
could, if he had chosen, have covered a wider field in 
fiction than that with which his name is personally 
associated in the public mind." It was first published 
in the columns of the Hereford Times, and nine other 
provincial newspapers simultaneously, in 1878. The 
author realised a large sum by this work. 

The villain in the story is supposed to be a French 
priest. At the time it was appearing in the Hereford 
Times there happened to be a French priest residing 
near the scene of the tale. He very absurdly sup- 
posed the character to have been drawn from himself, 
and wrote to the papers on the subject Mayne 
Reid was, in fact, unaware of this priest's existence, 
and in a letter to the press so stated. A long corre- 
spondence ensued, but the priest was finally worsted. 

In January, 1876, Mayne Reid entered into a long- 
continued controversy regarding the game laws of 
England. Many of the rural residents — perhaps a 
majority of them at that period — desired to see the 
laws abolished. Mayne Reid, however, defended the 
laws on this subject, asserting that to abolish them 
would not only be a backward leap in legislation, but 
an injustice to the majority of the nation, and to the 
whole a loss. In support of his claims, he thus refers 
in one of his articles to the United States : — 



CAPTAIN MAYNE REID 221 

^ In the United States of America, after the lapse 
of a hundred years, taught by a centur/s experience, 
they are taking steps to remedy an evil and supply a 
want which we are threatening to create ! In other 
words, while we are in the act of abolishing game 
laws, they are in the act of establishing them I In 
the teeth of such facts, who will say that game laws 
are enacted to favour any class in the social scale ? 
For surely it cannot be so in the United States — 
that land where there is only 'I^islation of the 
people for the people.' " 

There were several parties to the controversy — 
which took place in the columns of the Hereford Times 
—one of whom challenged the truth of the above 
statement Mayne Reid quickly turned his batteries 
upon the doubter, and silenced him with an avalanche 
of proof. 

Few men ever received the best of an argfument with 
Mayne Reid. His position was so well chosen, and 
his remarks so plainly in accord with truth and 
justice, that he almost invariably succeeded in con- 
vincing or silencing his opponent 

Abundant proof has been given in these pages 
that the author was a great lover of America and 
Americans. He admired their form of government 
and their free institutions. The expression of his 
opinions in England sometimes made him enemies, 
but he was everywhere recognised as a brave and 
honest man, and his enemies generally ended by be- 



222 CAPTAIN MAYNE REID ^ 

coming fast friends, acknowledging the truth of his 
statements, if not quite agreeing with the sentiments. 

Many short articles on various topics were written 
during the year, among others being a popular account 
of the Mexican axolotl and its habitat This was 
published in Land and Water, February, 1876. It 
had been written in response to a request for informa- 
tion on the subject from Mr. Henry I^ee. This 
curious animal was at that time a recent addition to 
the Brighton Aquarium. 

Mayne Reid now left the Chasewood Cottage, and 
in January, 1877, had taken the lease of a country 
house, with land and farm buildings attached, known 
as " Frogmore," four miles from Ross. 

Writing to Charles Ollivant, Mayne Rdd describes 
this place : — 

'.' I wanted a house with some land, and I could not 
resist the temptation of a beautiful thing about two 
miles from here, on the other side of the wood. It is 
more secluded and retired than even ' Chasewood ' — 
in fact, a very picture of a rural nook ; but a beautiful 
house, with some fifteen acres of land, a magniCicent 
kitchen garden, ornamental grounds and shrubberies, 
with a perennial brook running through them, carriage 
entrance, and separate entrance to the farmyard and 
stabling. 

"On the brook there is a wheel worked by the 
action of the current itself, which pumps water up to 
the house and all over the garden. And bd owf 
in the grounds there is a sluice built across 1 



CAPTAIN MAYNE REID 223 

brook, by which I can, simply by putting a door 
upon it, dam up the water to form a pretty fish- 
pond, with trees overhanging. It was constructed for 
this very purpose, but the water is now let off, the 
sluice-gate gone. It will be restored as soon as I take 
possession. 

" Water-hens, or ' moor-hens,' as they are called — 
meaning mere hens— come up on the lawn. The 
green woodpecker and blue jay are heard all around 
the shrubberies, while Penyard Wood, a continuance of 
Chase wood, the two covering a grand hill or ridge 
full three miles long, is just behind the house, a 
hundred yards back. Then there is a little farmyard 
quite separate and distinct from the stable and coach- 
yard — coach-house to hold, half a dozen carriages, 
stabling of the best kind for eight horses, flagged 
courts, kitchens, larder, dairy, servants' rooms, and 
a big bell hung on top of the house to ring them all 
up betimes ! 

" All this for £60 per annum. The land is eight 
acres, but I am to have five or six more next year if 
I wish it at forty-eight shillings per acre. It is, 
indeed, a little paradise of a place, and a great bar- 
gain at £60, The reason for its being so low rented 
is that it has lain for two years without a tenant, so 
they were glad to get me. Tenants that have had it 
found it too lonely. And so they might if they had 
no acquaintances of the gentry class in the neigh- 
bourhood But as we know all, or nearly all of that 
ilk, I don't think we shall be less visited there than in 
* Chasewood/ though it be a mile or two farther from 
their residences. 

** My chief object is, that in a house with a little 



224 CAPTAIN MAYNE REID 

grass land attached and good gardens — such as it has 
— I may live rent free; whereas, in a paltiy affair of 
the usual Cockney villa kind, your house eats his 
head off twice a year I This is true. The apples at 
' Frogmore House ' — for that is the hideous name of 
it, soon, however, to be called ' The Ranche ' — will go 
&r towards liquidating the rent** 

The removal to this charming retreat — ^ the pretti- 
est residence Jn all Herefordshire,** Mayne Reid called 
it — ^took place [in January, 1877, In the following 
May the delighted author again wrote his friend : — 

'' I am doing nothing at present, and can't work, so 
charmed I am with this truly rural life, which occu- 
pies me all the day long in gardening and observing 
facts in home natural history. 

'* The place is more like a grand zoological garden 
than a bit of ordinary English terraine. I have 
badgers, foxes, squirrels — even polecats, I hear — in 
the adjoining woods. In my own grounds, water- 
hens (miscalled moor-hens), wild pigeons, jays, mag- 
pies, starlings, rooks, jackdaws, the carrion crow, the 
nightingale, thrush, blackbird, missel thrush, and a 
host of the smaller birds. 

" I killed a blue worm yesterday — which is not a 
blind worm, but a real sighted snake— or my gardener 
killed it for me — seventeen inches long, which is two 
inches above the greatest size of this reptile given in 
* Chambers's Encyclopaedia.' 

*' This would have been the place to have laid the 
scene of ' The White Gauntlet,' and I'm not sure I 



CAPTAIN MAYNE REID 225 

may not yet be tempted into that tract for a more 
ambitious eflfort of painting the scoundrelly cavaliers 
in their true light — ^shabby dogs, as they really 
were." ^ 



During this year (1877) the author accomplished 
less literary work than usual. He wrote numerous 
short sketches and communications, however, besides 
remodelling the " Lost Sister," which story had first 
appeared as a serial in Onward Magazine, New York. 
The work was considerably enlarged, and the title 
changed to " Caspar the Gaucho." It was issued in 
book form by Routledge & Sons. 

The production of his repurchased works gave him 
a great deal of trouble, and he resolved not to con- 
tinue this mode of bringing them out So he entered 
into an agreement with Messrs. Routledge to publish 
the works for him. 

^ The proposed novel was written and published about three 
years later, under the title of " No Quarter." See Chapter 
XXIV. 



CHAPTER XXIII 

Best Colours for Summer and Winter Clothing — First to 
Publicly Challenge the Old Theory— Suffers from 
Rheumatism — Extracts from his Diary — Produces 
Mexican Potatoes — "A Breeder of Sheep" — ''Novelists 
and Librarians." 

Mayne Reid had an interesting and widely-quoted 
article in the London Live Stock Journal^ January 
24, 1879, relating to the best colours for summer 
and winter clothing.^ He strongly contended that 
black was the cooler colour for summer, and white the 
warmer for winter, contrary to the long-established 
belief on the subject He pronounced the common 
opinion as " one of those lurking errors that from the 
earliest times have escaped the detection of science." 
Other articles on the subject followed at different 
periods, each of which called forth numerous 
opinions. 

Mayne Reid was the first to publicly challenge 
and pronounce erroneous this old theory. This he 
had done ten years before the above date in the 
columns of his Onward Magazine. Some agreed, 
and others differed, with the writer on this subject 

^ See Appendix. 



CAPTAIN MAYNE REID 227 

The soundness of his reasoning has since been proved 
by its general acceptance among scientists. 

Rheumatism and sciatica continued to trouble the 
author, and confined him to his bed for days together; 
besides, the open wound in his leg caused him no 
little suffering. No doubt the disagreeable weather, 
for which the locality was noted, aggravated his 
afflictions. The following extracts from his diary for 
the year 1879 leave little room for doubt on this 
point : — 

^June 16. — Rain, rain, rain every day, and most 
days all day long ! No chance to clear the ground 
for the green crops. 

^^Jufy I. — Cold and dark, with the same strong 
wind. Rained all last night 

**July 4. — Cold and dark skies with high wind, rain 
still continuing without a day's intermission. This 
day the thermometer all day at about fifty-five 
d^^ees I 

*^ August 17. — After eight days of fine weather, 
again cold raia Hay not all gathered yet" 

While residing at " Frogmore," Mayne Reid paid 
no little attention to farming. Among other crops, 
he produced quantities of potatoes from Mexican 
seed These were so remarkably fine and free from 
the disease then prevalent among the common sorts 
that the demand for them, for seed, greatly exceeded 
the supply. Speaking of the great demand for his 
potatoesi in a letter to a friendi the authot ^^a.^^ \ — 



228 CAPTAIN MAYNE REID 

" Ten hundredweight are already gone off, and if I 
had ten tons I believe I could find the way to dispose 
of them at the same price. I actually have a letter 
from the Consul-General of the German Empire 
ordering two hundredweight to be sent to the Ducal 
Government of Meiningen I " 

Several instructive articles on the early history and 
culture of the potato were contributed to the Live 
Stock Journal^ during the year 1880, by this amateur 
farmer. 

Mayne Reid took great interest and no little pride 
in breeding a peculiar kind of sheep on his "Frog- 
more" farm. How he came into possession of the 
first pair, and his after experience with them, briefly 
told, is as follows : — 

One day in the early summer of 1878, while he 
was returning home from London by rail, he saw 
from the carriage window an odd-looking animal, 
which he afterwards described as " a coal-black sheep, 
with face of snowy whiteness, and tail the same, this 
long and bushy as the brush of a fox." The animal 
appeared to be the only one thus oddly marked in 
a flock of about twenty. 

The train soon swept past, but the author had 
seen enough to awaken his curiosity and stimulate a 
desire to own the animal. He at once resolved to 
return to the locality — which he had quickly noted — 
on the following day, and hunt up the flock and its 
owner. M an t^xVv Vvour the next morning he drove 



CAPTAIN MAYNE REID 229 

back along the line of railway, and located the field 
and its flock about ten miles from his home. On 
closer inspection, he discovered two of the oddly 
marked animals, both similarly marked, except that 
the body of one was grey instead of black ; also that 
they were about a year old, and a perfect pair. 

The owner was found living near by, from whom 
it was learned that the flock was recently from the 
Welsh mountains, where they were known as 
''mountain sheep." To avoid the appearance of 
being particularly desirous of owning the odd pair, 
the owner was asked his price for the entire flock. 
This being reasonable, a trade was soon made, and 
the animals were transferred to the pastures of 
Frogmore on the same day. 

By careful breeding, several black lambs, with 
white faces and tails — images of the sire — were 
secured the first year. After that, among others 
similarly marked, were several spotted like hounds, 
and still others flecked and speckled in a variety of 
patterns. In a full descriptive article to the Live 
Stock Journal^ Mayne Reid said of these animals — 
'' Jacob's sheep," as he called them : — 



** Of small size and perfect symmetry in shape, these 
strangely marked animals attract much attention in 
the neighbourhood, where the like have never before 
been seen. People passing the fields in which they 
are depastured stop and stand gazing over the gates 



a30 CAPTAIN MAYNE REID 

as thoi^ it were a herd of gazelles or a drove of 
zebras. 

" How their curious colouring or^nated I have no 
idea, for there is not the slightest taint of albinoism 
about it — nothing of its weak, sickly hue, either in the 
tyta or elsewhere. Instead, they are remarkably 
strong and healthy. . . ." 

Several of these curious sheep were exhiluted by 
the Mithor at the Shrop^re Agricultural Show, af^ 
baviag been refused admission to the Rt^al Agri- 
cnltaral Show, at Bath, in 1879, as not belongii^ to 

any of the recognised breeds. Two were accepted at 
the Zoological Gardens, London, where they were 
placed on exhibition. 

About a year after " Jacob's sheep " first made their 
appearance in Mayne Reid's pastures, he had some of 
their wool woven into cloth, from which were ob- 
tained garments made to his own design. He after- 
wards had many yards woven, which he used for his 
own clothing and that of more than one of his 
friends. 

Being free from dyeing matter, the original colour 
could not fade, Charles Ollivant is a witness to this 
superior quality, informing us that he has " had an 
overcoat made of this undyed cloth in constant use 
every winter since 1879 — a period of seventeen years — 
and it is as good in this year of our Lord, 1S97, as it 
was then ! " 

Mayne Reid sometimes jokingly remarked that he 
•'should go down to posterity as a breeder of sheep!" 

In September, 1879, one J. T. Kay, librarian 



CAPTAIN MAYNE REID 231 

of a college at Manchester, made a most unjust, 
as it was ungentlemanly, attack on the works of 
novelists, Mayne Reid's among the number. On 
seeing this in print, the author immediately wrote 
the following vigorous reply, which appeared in the 
Daily News^ September 29, under the heading, 
" Novelists and Librarians " : — 

" To the Editor of the Daily News. 

" Sir, — From an editorial in your paper of yester- 
days issue, I learn that Mr. Kay, described as the 
* Librarian of Owens College, Manchester,* at the con- 
ference of the Library Association, has asked in 
challenging tone: 'Whoever heard of devourers of 
Aimard, Mayne Retd, Cooper, and Marryat being led 
to more substantial literature?' Mr. Kay is repre- 
sented as adding that ' novels illustrated none of the 
nobler principles of human nature; they contained 
no true chivsdry, and were nuisances to mankind at 
large.' 

" For M. Aimard's novels I have nothing to say ; 
they are the works of a Frenchman, and let French- 
men defend them. But if there be writings in the 
English language which illustrate the 'nobler prin- 
ciples of human nature,' and inculcate ' true chivalry ' 
to a greater degree, or in a more effective manner, 
than the romances of Captain Marryat, 1 have yet to 
read them. And almost as much may be said for 
those of Fenimore Cooper. 

'* It is not pleasant for an author publicly to speak 
in praise of his own works, however gratified he may 
be to hear them praised by others. But as Mr. Kay 
has thrown this gauntlet direct into my teeth, I am 



232 CAPTAIN MAYNE REID 

constrained to take it up, the other authors, with 
whom he has done me the honour to associate my 
name, being long since deceased, and unable to do sa 
And I answer him by saying that, if there be any 
merit in my writings, it is just that which he would 
deny them — leading their devourers to * more sub- 
stantial literature.' 

*' Many letters have I received (with many instances 
otherwise made known to me) from men now dis- 
tinguished in various walks of life— especially in the 
natural sciences — ^telling me that the first inspiring 
cause which led them to study, and carried them to 
distinction, came from the lessons I had taught them 
in my novels. I know this without such testimony ; 
for I had set the lessons for just such purpose. And 
if Mr. Kay could read the letters I have received from 
parents, thanking me for having instilled 'noble 
principles ' into their children, he would possibly be 
merciful enough to omit my name from his index 
expurgatorius^ and speak of my books as something 
else than ' nuisances to mankind at large.' 

" Dr. Livingstone in his last letter, written in the 
very heart of Africa, says : — * The readers of Mayne 
Reid's books are the stuff to make travellers of * I 
never had the honour of personally knowing this 
greatest of travellers, and I might even say, greatest of 
modem men. So much the more do I esteem the 
compliment he has paid me; and with it in sweet 

* Another version, copied from Penny Iliustrated Paper^ 
April 1 8, 1874, reads : — *' Captain Mayne Reid had a gratifying 
compliment paid him in one of the last letters written by Dr. 
Livingstone. The illustrious African explorer wrote : — ' The 
boys who, on reading Mayne Reid's books, would like to be 
" castaways " Yiav^ xVi^ im^ oi \\\^ \xm^ mUsionary metal.' " 



CAPTAIN MAYNE REID 233 

consciousness I can calmly bear the flippant and 
somewhat vulgar criticism of * J. T. Kay, Librarian of 
Owens College, Manchester/ " 

This shallow critic had good cause to rue his gross 
error, for the newspapers took up the matter and 
condemned such sweeping assertions. Nearly all 
testified in warm terms to the value of Mayne Reid's 
works, among those of certain other novelists living 
and dead. 

• •••••• 

At the date of our going to press with this volume, 

the air was filled with echoes of the shouts from the 
thankful hearts of a nation. After seven anxious 
months the tension was relaxed — the hero of the day 
being Colonel Baden-Powell, the brave defender of 
Mafeking — and it may not be here out of place to 
introduce the following paragraph copied from the 
Birmingham Daily Post of May 3, 1900 : 

"^ It is intended by a Scotch member to ask the 
Under Secretary for War to-morrow if he can state 
whether Colonel Baden-Powell's book on scouting 
has been supplied to the German army by the German 
Government, and if any steps are being taken to 
distribute copies among the British soldiers in Africa. 
I may mention in this connection that the gallant 
defender of Mafeking drew his first hints as to the 
best way of scouting against an enemy from the Red 
Indian romances of Fenimore Cooper and Captain 
Mayne Reid. He once mentioned to a friend that 
nothing more keenly interested him as a boy than 
the references which he found to this subject in 
* The Deerslayer ' of the one author, and * The 
Scalp Hunters ' of the other." 




CHAPTER XXIV 

Studies the Habits of Animals— Foodnea foe Feti— "Tbe 
Naturalist <m the Wye " — ^Repotatioii as a Natotaliit— 
^(Hti of Charles Ollivaot— His Last Romance— Haid 
Iitenu7 Work — Anxiety for bis Wife— Contiibates to 
American Pu b lications — A Novel Sleigji — Adveatam 
in a Snowbank — ^United States grants a Pension. 

At " Frc^^inore " Mayne Reid was enabled to indulge 
his leading passion by taking up the earnest study of 
the habits of all the birds, beasts, and reptiles that 
abounded in the neighbourhood. Tbe variety of 
these denizens was so great that he called it a 
" Naturalist's Paradise." 

He was obliged to confine his rambles to the farm, 
for it must be remembered that since his last serious 
illness in the winter and spring of 1874-75, Mayne 
Reid had hobbled about on crutches. But the ne^;h- 
bours for miles around brought him numerous speci- 
mens of birds and beasts, in addition to those he 
procured from his own extensive fields. 

He had a great fondness for pets. A live owl and 
a magpie occupied cages in his room, while a baby- 
otter, caught on the banks of the brook which ran 
through the grounds, was being fed by hand. 



CAPTAIN MAYNE REID 235 

The Captain would have milk and fish left at his 
bedside every night with which to feed this little 
pet On the lawn, in view from his window, could 
be seen a hawk which he had .brought up from the 
nest It was a pretty little creature, and so tame that 
it would come at the author's whistle and dart down 
for food in his hand. In contrast to this, close by in a 
cage, was a fierce badger, that snarled and snapped 
whenever he was disturbed, and at last made its escape. 
White bull terriers, cats and kittens, goats and kids 
were also to be seen on the lawn. 

Mayne Reid was not satisfied unless he gathered 
all there was to learn about the various animals which 
came under his observation. He patiently studied 
their habits in life, and after death dissected them for 
further investigation. Some mornings when Mrs. 
Reid came down to breakfast she would find her 
husband engaged in cutting up a mole or a snake, or 
some other animal which the labouring men had 
killed and brought in — ** dainty breakfast dishes." 

While he was thus occupied in his favourite study» 
the author was contributing a series of articles to the 
Live Stock Journal^ under the general heading, " The 
Naturalist on the Wye." After his death these articles 
were published in book form, under the title, •* The 
Naturalist in Siluria," as designed by the writer. 

Speaking of Mayne Reid as *' an able and assiduous 
naturalist," the above journal said : 



t^ CAPTAIN MAYNE REID 



* iMim a leeeff 'ofasenrer, and quickly noted the 
rituatioD. He was an apt descriptive writer, and all 
who have read his wtxia will remember with fdeasoie 
Uie numeious digressions to permit the author to 
ext^n this bit of pampas, or to discover the age ot 
that tree and the reason of its peculiar formatitHL 
A< a botanist. Captain Reid was a ddigfatful com- 
panion, and the ability with which he compaied 
things that difiered was astonishing. 'The Naturalist 
da the Wye' was a prolific writer, and one never 
wearied of reading his notes. He reastned dosdy 
and vigorously, and If his combativeness was apparent 
in almost every line, it was none the less attractive." * 

It is also interesting at this point to note the 
opinion of W. H. Bates, Assistant Secretary to the 
Royal Get^rapbtcal Society, and author of " The 
Naturalist on the Amazon." In a letter to Mrs. 
Reid this gentleman says : — 

"Throughout our mutual acquaintance Captain 
Mayne Reid always impressed me as a man deeply 
interested in all natural history lore, and the subject 
was one of our most constant topics of conversatioa 
If circumstances in early life had turned his attention 
in that direction he would have made a reputation as 
a naturalist" 

InthespringofrSSoCharlesOllivant wrote to Mayne 

Reid that he thought of trying to get him a pension 

from the Civil List The author objected to this, but 

^ Extract faim. a toi^ obituary uotice of Mayne Reid. 



CAPTAIN MAYNE REID 237 

was confident something would be done for his wife 
in case of his death. Mr. Ollivant, however, deter- 
mined to carry out his project. With the aid of 
prominent members of Parliament he secured many 
signatures to a memorial to the Queen. So highly 
was Mayne Reid respected and esteemed, notwith- 
standing his well-known republican principles, that 
the paper was signed by many prominent men of all 
shades of opinion, irrespective of party, including 
several members of the peerage. 

** A more influentially signed memorial," says Mr. 
Ollivant, "was certainly never sent to any Premier 
for presentation to the Queen." But Mr. Gladstone 
refused to send it up to Her Majesty, and there the 
matter rested. Had the memorial been presented 
it would undoubtedly have been granted. But as 
a prominent member of Parliament wrote Mr. 
Ollivant, "Mr. Gladstone did not share their ad- 
miration of Captain Mayne Reid's writings." The 
author was ignorant of Mr. OUivanf s efforts in his 
behalf until after their failure. 

Towards the close of 1880 Mayne Reid rewrote 
the " Free Lances," originally written in 1869. This 
was published the following year — 1881 — in three 
volumes. In reviewing this romance, the London 
Saturday Review said : — 

"Captain Mayne Reid seems to be as lively a 



( 



938 CAPTAIN HAYNE REID 

writer ai he ever ws^ snd if the I Free Lances * cameB 
any leas thrOl of excitement than was wont to be 
arooBed by the ' Scalp Htuitec^' the bait mnst be 
due to a duutge Id the reader father than In Che 



We now come to tiie last novel firom Mayne Reid's 
prolific pen — a postfanmous work when issued in book 
fonn. The title was, *■ No Quarter : A Romance oC 
the Parliamentary War&" This was first publidied 
as a serial in the Newcastle Weekly CkromcU. Most 
of the incidents took place in Herefordshire and the 
Forest of Dean, long familiar with the author. 
The Academy referred to it as ' a rattling hbtorical 
novel" 

Mayne Reid also wrote a series of articles oo 
"Our Home Natural History" for the Spurting and 
Dramatic News. For the Btfy^ Illustrated News, 
of which he was assistant editor on its first appear- 
ance (January, 1882), the author wrote the "Lost 
Mountain," and the " Cliase of Leviathan " ; also 
short stories and notes oo natural history, Mayne 
Reid's name and writings largely increased the cir- 
culation of this journal, but he was finally compelled 
to give up the position, partly owing to ill-health. 

About this time the author wrote to a friend : " I 
am in great fear my poor wife will give way. She is 
in very delicate health, and looking quite UL Tliat 
acts sadly agunst. loe in my work, for when she is not 



CAPTAIN MAYNE REID 239 

cheerful I do not write nearly so well." His wife, by 
the way, was his amanuensis. 

Mayne Reid's writings were not confined to either 
side of the Atlantic While he was publishing his 
boys' books, novels, and short sketches in England* 
he was also writing something for American and 
other publications. In 1882 he had no less than 
twenty-six long and interesting articles in the New 
York Tribune^ under the general heading, "The Rural 
Life of England." They continued for six months, 
from April to September. He also had an article 
on -The English Hay Crop." in the Tribune of 
August 7, the same year; and on December 7, 
a beautiful tribute to Benjamin Moran. For the 
Youths Companion, Boston, he wrote during the year 
a short serial story called " The Vee-Boers," a tale of 
South Africa, for which he received ;^300. 

• •.•••• 

The winter of 1882 at "Frogmore" was noted 
for a very heavy fall of snow, which rendered the 
roads almost impassable ; in fact, for days there was 
no postal delivery. This snow, falling on frozen 
ground, lay for weeks. The drifts were enormous; 
this was especially the case in the narrow road of the 
valley adjacent to " Frogmore." 

Mayne Reid's active brain at once set to work to 
convert his open phaeton into a sleigh, as he had 
years before, at Gerrard's Cross, thus transformed his 
wife's pony carriage. The village blacksmith and 



S40 CAPTAIN MAYNE REID 

carpenter were summoned, and runners were qokkljr 
made and die woodwork painted over. On tiie 
following mining the wheels were removed from 
tiie carriage and the new gear adjusted in Aeir 
place ; by two o'clock in the afternoon all was ntdy 
fer the author to take his coveted sle^h ride; A pair 
<rf black horses, ornamented with bells, were harnessed 
to the sleigh — ^which, with its fur robes trailli^ over 
the snow, was a really smart-looking affair. 

Mounting the seat, he took the reins, and with tiie 
assistance of bis coachman and the groom steered the 
craft safety down the carriage drive into the road, 
making for the town of Ross, four miles distant 
His wife, being then an invalid, was unable to accom- 
pany him, and watched his departure, not without 
some mi^ivings as to the result 

The circumstances attending this adventure — for 
such it proved — ^were totally unlike those of a former 
ride. Then the Captain had the smooth, wide road 
and open common at Gerrard's Cross for experiment, 
whilst he himself was active on his limbs. Now the 
roads were narrow, winding, and steep, and in places 
blocked with huge drifts of snow — the driver a 
cripple 1 

The party proceeded fairly well, though at a slow 
pace, for about a mile and a half, when a huge drift 
presented itself, which the horses were unable to pull 
through. The coachman and groom exerted all their 
strength to help, but of no avail What was to be 



CAPTAIN MAYNE REID 241 

done? To turn the sleigh was impossible in that 
narrow road ; so it seemed they could neither advance 
nor retreat There was no traffic on the road owing 
to the weather. They finally procured a spade, and 
managed with the help of a man who fortunately 
happened to come along to clear the snow sufficiently 
to let the sleigh pass, when they at last reached the 
main road, where travelling was easier. Majme Reid 
was determined to accomplish the task he had under- 
taken, and astonish the town folks of Ross, and in 
both of these particulars he certainly succeeded ! 

The return trip progressed finely until the narrow 
road leading to "Frogmore" was reached The 
author was in high spirits at having, as he thought, 
fully accomplished his purpose. But while he was 
chuckling to himself, singing at the top of his voice, 
and cracking his whip, lo I over went the sleigh, be- 
coming firmly wedged in deep snow I 

** Nor all the great efforts of horses and men 
Could set Humpty Dumpty up again 1 " 

It was getting late in the day, and Mrs. Reid was 
anxiously watching for the return of the sleigh, when, 
to her alarm, she saw the coachman riding up the 
drive mounted on one of the horses which had been 
harnessed to the sleigh. She rushed to the door to 
learn what had become of her husband. The man 
at first assured her of his master's safety, and then 
related what had taken place. 




243 CAPTAIN MAYNE liEID 

The spot vfaere the mishap had occurred *as about 
a oule and a half from home. They had made eveiy 
effort to raise the sldgh, but without success, and had 
then sent to the house for die shafts and wheds aS 
the caRii^;e^ a single liamess, and some tools for 
oonvertii^ the sl^^ back into its proper abape; As 
Mayne Rod could not walk hom^ nor ride one of 
the liorses, he had been compelled to make tibe best 
(tf it and ^t wrapped up with his furs. 'Fortunately, 
he had been iHovided with a foot-warmer, as wdl as 
a flask of whisky, before leaving home, and with these 
he made himself comfortable; 

When relief arrived, it was found that one of the 
runners had been wrenched off By the time the 
change back to wheels was accomplished, it was quite 
dark. At last home was reached tn safety^ This 
was Mayne Reid's last sleigh ride I A friend said to 
him on the following day : " You know, Captain, this 
could not have happened to anyone but yourself; 
you can make adventures even in this prosaic land!" 

In 1882, the United States Government granted 
Mayne Reid a small pension for his Mexican War 
services. This was afterwards increased, but almost 
too late to be of much use to the valiant soldier. On 
his death, however, it was continued to his widow. 



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CHAPTER XXV 

Contemplates leaving Herefordshire — Desires to End his 
Labours in London — An Odd Habit — Removal to the 
City — Last Communication to the Newpapers — Last 
Story for Boys — Biographical Sketch by J. T. Trow- 
bridge — Letter to the Editors of Sf. Nicholas — Writing 
his "Mexican War Memories" — Average Income 
from his Pen — Dines with American Friends — Acci- 
dent to his Brougham — Attends an Auction Sale — 
Queer Purchases — Alarming Sickness — Death — Funeral 
Ceremonies — Description of the Gravestone — "In 
Memoriam," a Poem. 

Mayne Reid was now seriously contemplating leav- 
ing Herefordshire. He had completed his natural 
history articles, and his letters on the rural life of 
England and other work ; as he wrote several of his 
friends, he was " sick of Herefordshire," and longed 
to live in London again. Added to this, his wife's 
precarious health caused him no little anxiety. Ac- 
cordingly, in Februrary, 1883, they resolved upon 
going back to London for permanent residence. 
Writing to a friend regarding this proposed change, 
the author said :— 

" I have long believed that this old ted saads^osw^ 

343 



344 CAPTAIN MAYNB REID 

li vay detrifflentil to health, and veiy pradnetfae of 
rileumatism of all scHts. the roads ijl aroond are 
covered with hobbling cr|[^>les ; and Uke as not mjr 
adotica is in part, if not wholly, due to the cUaat& 
Besides, I am out of the woild ber&" 

Mayne Rdd fdt that tbe shadows were gathering 
aronnd him, and he wished to end his bboars in the 
great worid t^ LcHidon. the scene of his first litemy 
triomplis. Lrnidon to him was fiiU of fiuoillar and 
kindred spirits. Even from bis Herefordshire home 
he tiad made frequent visits to the city, always putting 
up at his favourite resort — the Langham Hotel 
A propos of his trips to London, a curious paragraph 
appeared in some of the papers to this effect : — 

" Captain Mayne Reid comes to town every week, 
and, on his arrival at the Langham Hotel, writes to 
his young and charming wife the single word 
' Rover.' " 

The explanation of this is that when the Captain 
went up alone, his wife always gave him a post-card, 
ready addressed, on which be was to inform her of 
his safe arrival, and put it in the first post He 
usually wrote only a word or twa Sometimes it would 
be, " Have arrove " ; at others, " Arriven," and now ] 
for novelty the word " Rover." He had chanced ta 
band this particular card to a youi^ American to | 
pcfit (bt Uni) v\u>t\)«&:^ ^teudc irith the odd wwd, 1 



CAPTAIN MAYNE REID 245 

mentioned the matter at the hotel. But the author 
would not satisfy the company's curiosity, and the 
matter finally went the rounds of the papers. 

Early in March Mayne Reid took up his residence 
in London at Blomiield Road, Maida Hill, to which 
place he transferred many of his belongings from 
Herefordshire. Finding that the amount he ex- 
pended on hansom cabs nearly equalled the cost of 
keeping his own horse, he summoned his faithful 
coachman to drive the animal up to London from 
Ross. The faithful William Davies remained in close 
attendance upon his master until the end. 

• •••*•• 

The last communication Mayne Reid sent to the 
press was headed " The Czar's Coronation," and ap- 
peared in the Echo^ June 4, 1883. The following 
are brief extracts from the article : — 

" Above all, in its religious aspects, has it been a 
thing of abomination. We read of a human being of 
the most ordinary type — possibly a tyro in embryo — 
receiving adoration such as should be given to God ; 
not only receiving, but, by the very act of reception, 
intimating it to be his due I Verily, it would seem as 
though we were back amid the knee-bendings and 
superstitions of the dark, barbarous ages. Indeed, the 
whole pageant, instead of evincing progress in civilisa- 
tion, is absolute evidence of retrogression towards 
barbarism — a return to the grandeurs of the Great 
Mogul, with the wild beast shows and gladiatorial 
spectacles of ancient Rome. Such displays, so far 



246 CAPTAIN MAYNE REID 

from giving proof of a nation's strength and glory, 
but make manifest its weakness and shame, . . . 
Certainly, such a bold brazening of the divine right of 
kings, supposed to have been long since surrendered 
up, is vividly provocative — a very gauntlet thrown in 
the teeth of oppressed peoples, challenging, templing, 
even courting retaliation." 



Mayne Reid now wrote his last story for boys. It 
was entitled " The Land of Fire," a tale of Tierra del 
Fuego, and was prepared for St. Nidiolas. New York. 
It was completed and mailed to the editor September, 
1883. The first chapter appeared in that magazine 
in its December issue, after the hand that penned it 
was no more. The author received $[,300 for the 
right of its first appearance in St. Nicholas. It was 
afterwards published in volume form by Wame & Ca, 
London. 

The November number of St. Nicholas had pub- 
lished a brief biographical sketch of Mayne Reid, 
which had been prepared before the former's death. 
In a letter to the editors accompanying his manuscript 
in September, Mayne Reid thus refers to this sketch 
and his desires : 



" I have heard that you intend honouring me by a 
biographical sketch ; and, furthermore, that I am to 
receive this honour at the hands of America's most 
celebrated, and justly celebrated, writer, Mr. Trow- 
bridge. WUV you kindly notify this gentleman that 



CAPTAIN MAYNE REID 247 

the only thing about myself I specially care to have 
recorded is my great love and reverence for the 
American people, and above all for the American 
youth, whom I regard with an affection warm and 
strong, almost as a man would feel for his own 

children ! " 

• •••••• 

At odd times the author was writing his " Mexican 
War Memories/' referred to and inserted in Chapters 
IV., v., and VI. He worked principally in the 
evening, devoting the day to driving about, visiting 
friends. He had contrived a novel kind of check- 
string in his brougham, by which he was enabled to 
guide his Herefordshire coachman through the 
labyrinth of London streets. He rarely drove in the 
Park, preferring the busiest parts of the great 
metropolis. 

Mayne Reid was never an idle man ; in fact, after 
his sword was sheathed in its scabbard, his pen never 
rested except for brief intervals. And his brain was 
as active as ever until within a fortnight of his 
death. 

The average amount received by Mayne Reid for 
each of his novels and boys' books was ;f 1,000 for the 
former, and from ;f 500 to £600 for the latter. Nearly 
all the novels were first published in serial form in 
periodicals, the right to future publication being 
reserved by the author. To the large sums thus 
realised was added various sums received for short 
stories, sketches, and articles on a great variety of 



h8 captain hayne reid 

topics, also varied amoants from American poblsshenL 
Taken altogether, tiie total income from his pen 
averted aboot £2fiOO per year. 

On the 4th 01 October, 1883, Majme Rdd dined at 
tile Lasgham Hotel with a party of American frienda 
He was driven to the hotel in his own broug^iam, 
whldi was to have returned for him at deven o'clock. 
KU^ with his usual impatience, he flmig open the door 
.■ol-lihe carriage just before arriving at his destination, 
which caught on one of the projecting iron pivots in 
front of the hotel, and was violently wrenched from its 
hinges and landed on the pavement Owing to this 
accident the carriage did not return, and the night 
was passed with his friends in reviving old scenes and 
events. He returned home about four o'clock in the 
morning. 

The late hours and excitement attending his visit 
to the Langham, however, had an ill effect upon him, 
and he did not leave his bedroom for four days. He 
was able, nevertheless, to finish a short story for the 
Christmas number of the Penny Illustrated Paper, 
called " A Christmas in Kerguelan's Land." 

On the evening of the fourth day of his indisposi- 
tion, Mayne Reid, contrary to all persuasion, insisted 
upon going out to attend an auction sale^always 
an attraction for htm, as before mentioned. The 
brougham had by this time been repaired, and he 
departed in it, returning home about nine o'clock with 



CAPTAIN MAYNE RE ID 249 

the strangest collection of articles imaginable, among 
them a black chest and a framed '' In Memoriam " of 
someone. Mrs. Reid remarked at the oddness of his 
purchases, and he replied that he " hoped it was not 
ominous." 

On his return from the auction sale, Mayne Reid 
seemed to be considerably exhausted, but after eating 
some food he sat down in his accustomed place, 
with writing materials before him on his improvised 
table, and wrote a few pages of his " Mexican War 
Memories." He retired to bed about eleven o'clock, 
never to rise from it again. 

The following morning alarming symptoms set in ; 
another abscess formed in the knee of his wounded 
leg. Physicians were immediately summoned, and a 
professional nurse engaged. For the first few days 
Mayne Reid exhibited his wonderful energy by 
correcting some proofs and dictating a letter or two 
to his wife, but he grew rapidly worse, and was 
obliged to abandon every effort 

The doctors had given little hope of his recovery, 
but the day before his death he seemed to rally so 
much that the chief physician (there were three in 
attendance) thought he would recover. But it was 
only the brightening up of the flame before the lamp 
of life expired. 

Although his sufferings had been great, Mayne 
Reid finally passed peacefully away, conscious nearly 
to the last On Monday, October 22, 1883, at eight 






350 CAPTAIN MAYNE REID 

tfdofk in Ae orening, be had entered Into Us 
kit sleeps 

The fimeral cereoionles were qnfte private, only a 
few peffooal frlendfl being present The cort^ 1^ 
the boose, 13 Blomfidd Road, Maida Hill, London, 
00 thmsday, October 35, for Kensal Green Ceineter;^, 
followed by a lew moomen, vbae the remains were 
given thdr last lesting-plaoe; 

The United States Consnl, in London, sent a 
beautiful wrca^ for the casket, and was rq^esented 
at the grave by Colonel Mitchell and Mr. Kelly, 
members of the Consulate, all friends of the deceased 
author. 

In loving memory of her husband, bis widow, at 
her own expense, and from a des^ of her own, to 
mark the last resting-place of Mayne Reid, has had 
erected over his grave an irregular block of white 
marble, with chain and anchor, and on this is carved 
a sword and pen crossing each other, and the 
following inscription : — 

IN LOVING HEHORV 

OF 

MAYNE REID, Author. 

Bom April 4, 1818. Died October 22, 18S3. 

" Gone to bis dreamless sleep." 

Along the mai^n of the base of the headstone is a 
quotation from " The Scalp Hunters," as follows : — 



CAPTAIN MAYNE REID 251 

''This is 'the weed prairie' ;^ it is misnamed : 
It is the Garden of God." 



The following lines were written impromptu by 
Charles Ollivant's sister, Caroline, on the day after 
Ibyne Rdd s death :— 

•'IN MEMORIAM. 

" A warrior has gone home, 
A mighty spirit fled I 
Hnsh'd is the magic tone — 
A noble man is dead. 

" Oh, boys of England, mourn ! 
Ye well may grieve and weep, 
As to the grave is borne 
This hero, gone to sleep. 

" No more his wondrous pen 
Can thrill you with delight ; 
He may not come again 
To wreathe fresh spells as bright 

" His kindly heart is stilled ; 
Imagination's fire 
For us is quenched and chilled, 
And seemeth to expire. 

" But no 1 Beyond the veil 
Of this dim, shrouding clay 
His brightest powers can never fail. 
And there — he lives to-day ! 

^ A name given by the early pioneers of America to a prairie 
of flowers. It is also appropriate, as in this country the grave- 
yard is called " God's Acre." 



252 CAPTAIN MAYNE REID 

" Tben, dear Mayne Reid, friewell t 
Thon'st gained a lui[^>ier shores 
Where we, too, hope to dwell. 
When eaith'i tide flow> no more. 

" Thoi^st fallen at thy guns, 
Thy keen lance is laid by ; 
But in the hearts of England's sons 
Thy name shall never die 1" 




APPENDIX 



OBITUARY NOTICES. 

Thb death of Captain Mayne Reid was sincerely mourned 
throughout the world. The press was unanimous in its 
expressions of regret, columns being devoted to the 
lamented author and his works. The principal journals 
of London contained long leading editorials on the subject 
The Times^ with which paper the author had had more than 
one passage of arms, graciously devoted a long leader. 

The following are brief extracts from a few obituary 
notices of the author. Thousands might be given. 

Times : — " Every schoolboy, and everyone who has ever 
been a schoolboy, will learn with sorrow of the death of 
Captain Mayne Reid ..." 

Post: — "The death of Mayne Reid removes a genial 
and popular figure from the world's stage. . • . There is 
plenty of room for writers who can instruct and amuse 
youth as pleasantly and healthfully as he did." 

Live Stock Journal: — "It is with deep regret that we 

annoimce that Mayne Reid has crossed that bourne from 

whence no traveller returns. ... He reasoned closely and 

vigorously. • . • He was an enthusiast in everything he 

advocated, whether it was the growth of Mexican potatoes. 

or rearing speckled sheep, or overturning the theories and 

253 



1 



254 CAPTAIN MAYNE REID ™ 

beliefs of ages, political or religious, bucolic or otherwise. 
It did not matter to the Captain how people stood his 
attack or criticism ; and, as far as we could judge, he never 
feared consequences. . , . We can only add to this notice 
our heaily sorrow and sincere regret at losing a personal 
friend and a valued contributor." 

Spectator : — " He was a man of exceptional daring, baring 
a positive liking for danger ; he had the topographical 
which should belong to a general." 

Saturday Rniiew : — "His books are models of 
books for boys ought to be." 

lyuth : — " Many a man will bave felt a pang of regret on 
hearing of the death of one whose writings gave him so 
many happy hours as a boy." 

Sporting and Dramatic //eivs: — "His loss must be 
especially fell by those with whom Captain Mayne Reid 
worked, for he was a singularly cheery, genial companion. 
Perhaps it was strange that one who had seen so much 
exciting life and adventure should have devoted days, as he 
did, to watching a little bird's nest or the habits of a 
mouse ; but natural history was his passion." 

Daily News: — "When his sword was sheathed andU 
fingers held the pen, he wrote with vigour and impetuosity, 
as if under fire. Caplain Mayne Reid gave by bis books i 
great deal of innocent pleasure, and they could always be 
admitted without scruple or inquiry into the best rei^Ia: 
families." 

Htw York Herald; — "Very noticeable indeed is the A 
and wide knowledge of natural history displayed throughout 
all his writings. ... It is not an unsafe prediction to say 
that his works will continue to be as popular fifty yti 
hence as the^ aie i.i>da.'j," 



.ndliH 
uosity, 
ooksi 
aysb^l 

ede^^^ 



CAPTAIN MAYNE REID 255 

New York Sun : — One of the best story-tellers of our 
time passed away when Mayne Reid died at his home in 
England. ... No better books for boys were ever written 
... his writings are characterised by the most wholesome 
spirit, and inculcate purity and rectitude no less than 
manliness.** 

New York Tribune : — " The death of Mayne Reid brings 
to a close a career which had been mainly devoted to the 
entertainment and instruction of children. . . . The influence 
of his books was always wholesome. . . . He was a keen 
observer, and a thoroughly sincere and honest man. . . • 
In spirit he was an American rather than an Englishman." 

Inter-Ocean^ Chicago: — "The youth of England and 
America have had few better friends than Captain Mayne 
Reid. Possessed of a delightful imagination, and a mind of 
unusual purity as well as brightness of intelligence^ his heart 
beat kindly for the young, and he inclined his powers toward 
their entertainment and improvement His death . . . 
should occasion more than the transitory regret felt when 
any man of note passes away. ... No boy or girl ever read 
a story by Captain Mayne Reid without having learned 
something worth remembering through life." 



MAYNE REID. 

A MEMOIR OF HIS LIFE, 
BY ELIZABETH REID, HIS WIDOW. 



EXTRACTS FROM THE PHESS. 

*' Mrs. Reid's Memoir of her husband, Captain Mayne 
Reid, the novelist, will be read with interest by a great 
many men, for the sake of the boys which they were when 
they read 'The Scalp Hunters' or 'The Headless Horse- 
man.' His life was an adventurous one, and its various 
incidents are told with spirit and effect. There was no more 
popular writer in his time of books for boys, and the story 
of his life, told as it is with brevity and point, forms a 
welcome edition to literary biography." — ScoHman. 

" Mrs. Reid's Memoir of her husband is full of devotion 
and admiration. In her eyes he is the one hero ; and if 
the book is a little unbalanced in its parts, its natural 
delight in every tribute of respect to the Captain and his 
writings is pretty. Mrs. Reid's ardessness succeeds, where 
art might have failed, in making the striking personality 
of her husband stand out ia strong relief." — Shtgiiid 
Indeptndtnt, 

" ' To most of the world Captain Mayne Reid is known 
only as a writer of thrilling romances and works on natural 
history.' Thus writes Mrs. Reid in her interesting sketch 
of her husband's life, in which his career as a man of action 
and a soldier is narrated in a most pleasing and unpretenlioas 
style." — Saturday Heview. 

" In ' Mayne Reid : a Memoir of his Life,' the widow of 

the gallant officer tells the world of the stirring adventures 

through which her husband passed in the Mexican War; 

] his great pluck and his delight in wild rides over Mexican 

256 



CAPTAIN MAYNE REID 257 

prairies, with a good deal of information as to his habits 
and the incidents of his career when peacefully engaged in 
novel-writing. This interesting account of a stirring career 
will be welcome to many who prize Captain Reid's memory 
as that of one who gave them their first true literary 
enjoyment" — Daily Telegraph. 

" Boys, old and young, will take genuine delight in the 
biography of an old favourite — Captain Mayne Reid. The 
best kind of old man retains somewhat of the boy-spirit to 
the last. Mr. Gladstone loved a sensational novel now and 
then. Thomas Carlyle used to refresh himself with * The 
Last of the Mohicans.' £ven a bishop might be pardoned 
if he withdrew into a quiet comer with Mayne Reid's 
• Scalp Hunters ' and 'Rifle Rangers.' The book is written 
by Captain Mayne Reid's widow, and a most stirring 
biography it is, with its stories of Reid's Mexican fighting 
and hairbreadth escapes." — JTu Echo. 

"The present Memoir by his widow is written with 
affectionate enthusiasm ; and it is no slight tribute to his 
merits that late in life he should have evoked such obviously 
ardent devotion. This simple narrative cannot DeuI to keep 
alive the general interest in a remarkably single-minded and 
warm-hearted man." — The Athenaum. 

" Mayne Reid, whose name, like that of Cortes, is im- 
mortally associated with Mexico : he had the makings of a 
warrior. A pity it is that he did not fight for his own 
country: he was the man to have taken the Redan, and 
held it when he had taken it. The romance of his marriage 
is as curious as anything he ever wrote, though there are no 
alligators in it. He was bom to be a soldier — was an 
author by accident He had faults which philosophers have 
often called the military temperament. But every reader who 
has been a boy is,^or should be, gratefiil to this hero and 
penman." — Daily News. 

R 



258 CAPTAIN MAYNE RE ID 

" ' The Scalp Hunters," which no man can remember 
without a thrill, not for the magnificent adventures aloDC, 
but because it is the story in which the love-paseages a^_ 
most directly to boyhood. Mr. Swinburne declares 1J 
every Englishman is in love with Jane Eyre; it i 
hyperbolical to say that every English boy is in lore 4 
Zoe. He found the Zbe of his dieams in England, i 
married her. The nairative of his counship will be tc 
one of the strangest. 'The Scalp Hunters," 'The ] 
Rangers,' and ' The Headless Horseman ' may haw 
numerous rivals, but we think in their own line they hire 
never been surpassed. One can only lament that with bit 
vigorous frame, command over men, ardent disposition, 
and power of organisation — above all, wiib his passionate 
desire for action — no other course was open to him than to 
settle down into a professional writer of stories." — TUt 
SpeaJur. 

" One gets from this book a very pleasant impression of 
the man : active, nervous, strenuous in endeavour, with 
fine enthusiasms and high ideals — kindly, genial, impulsive. 
And it has the unhappily exceptional merit nowadays of 
being brief. Goldsmith has said that were angels to write 
books they would not vnrite folios, and, according to this 
standard, modem biographers are rarely among the angel). 
But here, for once, is a biography which gives all essentials 
in a pleasant and readable form, and which one may read 
comfortably in an evening. O si sic omnesi" — TAe 
£irmingham Daily Post. 

The following beautiful little poem was composed by 
Mayne Reid, and published in his Onward Magaxint, 
February, 1S69. The kindly fellow-feeling which pemda 
it was characteristic of the man. 




• f ■>'■' Of- 

■'■■ ■ i?-*! ' 



■t •■! Jffl 



CAPTAIN MAYNE REID 259 



« HAPPY NEW YEAR. 

** Hail to the New Year's day 1 

Sing it a rotindelay 1 
Fling away care on a dawning so dear 1 

Keep it a festival. 

Blithest and best of all ! 
Sure, 'tis the happiest day of the year I 

" Let it be glorious — 

Not too uproarious — 
Drink to your friends whether distant or near I 

Quaff to your sweethearts true ; 

Then to the ' boys in blue ' ; 
Coupling your toast with your country so dear 1 

'* Ye in high places, 

Surroundea with gracesi 
Everything needed to give you good cheer ; 

Cast aside vanity, 

Put on humanity. 
Open your hearts on this day of the yean 

'* Open and chasten them ; 

If there be waste in them 
Fill it with thoughts that are true and sincere. 

A£[ed and youthful. 

With hearts beating truthful, 
Youll happier feel on this day of the year. 

*' Chasten and open them — 

Plenty of scope in them — 
Lend to the tale of the hapless aa ear. 

Those who toil drearily, 

Speak to them cheerily. 
Bid them be joyful throughout the New Year. 

** New Year 1 what mystery 

Hid in thy history, 
Waits for revealment, in joy or in fear ? 

We hope 'twill be gladness^ 

Unshadowed bv sadness- 
Wishing the whole world a Happ^ New Yaar i 



26o CAPTAIN MAYNE REID 



THE MERITS OF WHITE AND BLACK COLOURS 
FOR CLOTHING. 
{See Chapter XXJII.) 

Mayne Reid discussed the above subject in the Live 
Stock Journal^ London, January 24, 1879, as follows : — 

" Why do polar hares and foxes that are slate-blue in 
summer turn snow-while in winter? Nature effects the 
change ; but with what object and for what purpose ? The 
usual mode of accounting for it, when speaking of the hare^ 
is that this defenceless creature, by becoming white, is 
assimilated to the colour of the snow, and so escapes the 
danger of being sighted by predatory animals. But the fox 
also assumes a white dress precisely at the same period of 
time ; and, as he is one of these predatory animals, his 
altered hue enables him the more easily to approach this 
very prey 1 So if that were the design of the transfbrmation, 
we should have Natuie maldi^ a fool of herself which 
Nature never does. 

" I am acquamted with the usual test of colour tempera- 
ture : the two pieces of doth, white and black, spread upon 
snow. When this proverbial problem comes to be more 
thoroughly investigated, it will go the way of the flat earth 
and the spherical bullet. 

"While campfugiung in a tropical country, under the 
hottest suns, I became aware that a black coat was cooler 
than a white on^ both being of the same weight, texture 
and thickness — in short, coeteris paribus, save the colour. 
The fact led me to reflection, to correlation of other facts 
and circumstances observed at the same time, as on other 
occasions. For one, I could see that my negro servant 
alongside me, enveloped in a coal-black skin, did not suffer 
froia the fo^ tK}« c£ ^A tom,\al£ u modi u I under wj 



CAPTAIN MAYNE REID 261 

tripe-coloured epidermis. What could this be but a 
provision of Nature — merciful Nature — made for him whose 
home was to be in the torrid zone? And the longer I 
remained within its limits the more could I acknowledge 
her kindness in tanning my cheeks, and so making them 
less sensitive of the scordung of the sun. From the coat 
upon my back and the colour of my skin, thought wandered 
to the black bears of tropical countries — always coal-black 
— to the brown species of temperate climes, and on to the 
Arctic ice, where Ursa is robed in white. Then, there is 
night and day, shadow and sunlight, the dark naked ground, 
and the same covered with snow — ^all in their opposed 
temperatures in conformity with my belief as above." 



' uc nine kam 
The Scalp HuiiUJH 

S'™>"e Chief, 
I he Quadroon. 
The WarTrail. 
Oceola. 

The Wood R.„ge,i 
TheT.gerHunfer. 

n S°"'"* Chiet 
i he Maroon. 
Lost Lenore 
TJe While Gauntlet 

TheChld.'Sk""*""* 
Tke Free La„ci. 
The Lone Ranch. 
TheP,„ge,ofFate. 
The Death Shot. 
T^eF^ofDisttesi 
Gwen W,„„. =" 

NoQuanerl 



GREENING'S MASTERPIECE LIBRARY. 



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